Role Title
Category Manager
Manchester
Circa £45-50k + benefits
Role Profile
Our client, an award-winning supplier, has retained our services exclusively to appoint a Category Manager to be responsible for a key category within the business. You will have extensive experience of sourcing/manufacturing of products from the Far East in order to drive a commercial and creative product category forward. You will have a genuine passion for the product areas in order to identify key trends, working on innovative and unique products to drive the category forward. You will be experienced in managing the end-to-end process from creative conception through to customer shelf, be customer focused and commercially aware. It is essential that you have experience in Far East/overseas travel and factory visits as this is a key part of the role. You will be an aspirational role model in order to manage, motivate and drive the team in order to deliver creative products on time in line with the business-critical trading calendar. With the support of Assistants, Designers and Brand team members, this is a fantastic opportunity to join an established and dynamic business that still retains its entrepreneurial spirit with exciting plans for further growth!
Responsibilities
- Identifying new manufacturing vendors and building on existing supplier relationships to develop a strategic and commercial range
- Determining the positioning of a product category to maximize visibility
- Identifying trends and comprising a range development to reflect
- Liaising with marketing teams to determine competitive pricing and promotional activities of a product category
- Devising long-term development strategies for product categories
- Developing exit strategies for unsuccessful products
- Managing the creative process with Graphic and Specialist design teams to create products in line with the critical path
- Developing value-added vendor relationships and practices. Fostering trusted relationships with vendors to achieve better pricing and quality of services
- Negotiating with vendors on terms, production planning and pricing
- Managing a team of approx. 3-4 direct reports whilst taking a dynamic approach to departmental KPI's and critical path
- Managing production requirements, PO placement and inventory in conjunction with the Supply Chain department. Placing appropriate orders to ensure product availability that meets consumer demands
- Promoting professional behaviour in all team members
- Analysing data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends
- Collaborating with other Category Managers to create cross-category promotions, solutions and development
- Assuming responsibility of budget development and revenue for category
Skills, Experience & Personal Attributes
- Minimum 2 years' experience in the sourcing and manufacturing of creative, crafts, home, gift, toys, nursey or stationery categories
- Strong commercial awareness and product knowledge within the category
- Strong management skills with the ability to lead, inspire and motivate a team to success
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to influence internal and external partners at all levels
- Able to cope with the demands of a fast paced and changing business
- Strong negotiation skills
- Knowledge of working to critical path and key milestones within the department and overall business plan
- Ability to manage departmental P&L in line with overall business P&L
- Awareness of market trends and key indicators within category
Client information
Our client is an award-winning supplier based in Manchester.
Remuneration
Circa £45-50k + benefits
About Cast UK
Cast UK is a leading executive consultancy, providing national recruitment solutions to both clients and candidates. Specialising in HR, Procurement, Buying, Supply Chain, and Logistics, each member of our specialist team has a professional background specific to their recruiting sector. With this unique insight and knowledge, our consultants are able to place individuals from trainee through to main board. For more information on Cast UK and a complete list of all of our current vacancies, please visit www.castuk.com
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