Category Manager
7 days ago
Basildon
About Us At IronmongeryDirect, we've been a trusted name in architectural ironmongery for over 50 years. What started as a traditional ironmongery shop has since grown into the UK's leading direct supplier, delivering thousands of parcels each week. With a vast range of over 18,000 high-quality products available for next-day delivery, we're the reliable choice for tradespeople who value efficiency, expert advice, and top-tier service. If you're looking to be part of a dynamic, growing company that's built on a foundation of trust and excellence, we'd love to hear from you. We're proud to be recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure 2025 by Great Place to Work®, a reflection of the positive feedback from our own people and our commitment to creating an exceptional employee experience. About the Role This role is responsible for the product introduction, maintenance, and development of the specific product ranges to meet the needs of our target customers. This includes managing the products through the product life cycle, researching and identifying products and customer requirements. Defining the product vision, and working in partnership with our supply chain team and external suppliers. Different to many corporate structures, this role includes the management and development of junior members of the team and working closely with our digital, Customer service , marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure revenue profitability and customer satisfaction targets are met, the role reporting directly to the department manager ensures lengthy sign off processes are avoided and speed of delivery is fundamental for this role. About the Accountabilities • Deliver the relevant budgeted sales and margin contribution for the relevant product areas, • Ensure clear development plans are in place and day to day management of any direct reports including regular 1 to 1's and appraisals, • Define the product strategy and roadmap for relevant product areas, • Present business cases for product range developments, • Introduce new product ranges within the given timescales, • Develop the core positioning and messaging for products and categories, • Source new product ranges, • Negotiate terms and cost pricing with suppliers, • Merchandise products through the catalogue and web site to achieve maximum product performance, • Conduct product range reviews to increase profitability and efficiency of the product range, • Monitor, analyse and report product range performance statistics making appropriate recommendations and actions to maximise performance, • Utilise Google Analytics and work with the Digital team to implement actions to improve conversion rates, • Apply clear and competitive pricing principles to each range ensuring a clear hierarchy that achieves profitability targets, • Develop sales tools for the Contact Centre, • Work with the marketing department to develop product launch and product marketing plans, • Develop product management workflow and processes About You - Essential • Commercial & Category proven experience within the same or equivalent role, • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, • Excellent teamwork skills, • Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams, • Strong negotiations skills and experience managing supplier relationships, • Strong awareness of competitors, pricing strategies and market trends, • Ability to oversee and manage the workload of direct reports, • Strong ability to analyse data, draw conclusions and set strategic actions About You - Desirable • Industry & Technical Product knowledge, • E-commerce & Digital Experience of trading product in an omnichannel environment, • Project & Change management experience & ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously About the Benefits • 25 days annual leave plus public Bank Holidays, including the option to buy and sell up to three days per holiday year, • Subsidised Private Healthcare for employees and their families, • Enhanced family leave benefits, • Fully funded Wellbeing offering operated by Health Shield with the ability to claim back medical costs, access to an EAP service including counselling sessions, a GP Anytime service and more, • PERKS - a rewards platform offering hundreds of deals and discounts from the brands you know and love, helping your salary stretch a little further, • Discretionary annual company performance bonus, • Regular WOW awards for those that go above and beyond, • Staff suggestion scheme with associated rewards, • Staff discount on our products, • Long service awards, including the option to buy and sell up to three days per holiday year including additional annual leave, life insurance and increased employer pension contributions, • Two paid volunteer days per year, • £500 refer a friend incentive scheme, • We believe in recognising great work, investing in personal growth, and supporting wellbeing. Please note this job description does not claim to be exhaustive in the duties it defines, and it may to some extent change from time to time. This document will be reviewed during the annual appraisal process and any changes where appropriate will be made formally via the HR Department
