Commercial Category Manager

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Full Time

Watford, Hertfordshire

Competitive

July 23, 2026

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Job description

Are you looking for your next step in Category Management? We’re looking for a Category Manager to join our Commercial team. You’ll be responsible for the end to end management of one of our Categories. This will include sourcing the right range of products from current and new suppliers through to the pricing and promotion to maximise consumer appeal. Supplier management and working closely with internal stakeholders will be key parts of the role. The goal is to increase sales and profitability of business to drive sustainable growth. You’ll have extensive experience in understanding consumer needs and the retail environment. As well as a commercial mindset and full comprehension of marketing and sales principles. Exceptional communication skills are also key for this role. What you’ll be doing:Product Strategy<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Set a clear and customer focused category strategy to deliver growth in sales and profit.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Develop and build category plan, to deliver market share growth, informed by internal and external insight to maximise commercial position and provide the best customer proposition.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Trading Management (delivering the plan and numbers)</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Drive sales and profit through an activity plan including promotion, advertising and PR in alignment with the framework set by Marketing, Direct Channels and Operations Departments.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Managing SKU level cost and retail price in line with pricing and promotional strategy</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Deliver or exceed budgeted sales and margin whilst maintaining or growing market share.</li></ul> Supply & Sourcing<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Build profitable supplier partnership to develop market position.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Develop a clear sourcing strategy to ensure the supply of quality products that meet the customer need through the most efficient route to market.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Develop high performing business partnerships with key suppliers to maximise business opportunity.   </li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Manage supplier base to ensure that they meet all of our requirements using supplier KRA’s and 100% availability.</li></ul> Leadership & Team Development<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Develop and lead direct reports to ensure individual growth and maximising of potential.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Driving engagement with the category and its plans; be a visible ambassador/champion of your category, driving understanding through the business</li></ul> What we’re looking for:You’ll be experienced in a category management or buying role having developed and executed a category strategy and have demonstrated excellent communication and analytical skills. As well as this you’ll:<ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Be motivated to achieve targets/deadlines.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Have excellent attention-to-detail, planning and organisation skills.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Possess strong project management skills. </li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Have experience of managing a team</li></ul> What can we offer you?You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes <ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Competitive bonus</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Save-as-you-earn scheme</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Private Medical and Life Assurance</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Contributory pension scheme</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Colleague discount </li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme</li></ul> Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. You’ll work from our Support Centre in Watford, where our Commercial team are based, along with our other support functions.  We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture.  We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.  About Us: What can we offer you?You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career. We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes: Competitive bonusSave-as-you-earn schemePrivate Medical and Life AssuranceEnhanced contributory pension scheme Colleague discount Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work schemeOur widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day. About Us: Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market.  With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.  But it is our culture that is considered our best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home. "We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We’re a Disability Confident Employer and committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from disabled people and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process and workplace for everyone. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments, please let us know <a href="https://www.wickescareers.co.uk/reasonable-adjustments" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</a>."

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