Job Description

Watford, Hertfordshire

Competitive


Full Time Hours: 40
03/11/2025
99773

We've created a new position for a Commercial Category Development Manager. Reporting into our Sustainability Category Development Director, the role combines strategic planning, supplier management and cross functional collaboration to develop , launch and scale a new renewable category installation service from the ground up. Responsibility involves the profitable growth and market position of this newly formed category.

What you'll be doing:

Product Strategy

Develop a clear, customer-focused category strategy to build and establish entry into the renewable installation service market, aiming for sales and profit growth over a three-year period.
Develop and build category plans, to deliver market share growth, informed by internal and external insight to maximise commercial position and provide the best customer proposition.

Trading Management

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.
Managing SKU level cost and retail price in line with pricing and promotional strategy
Deliver or exceed budgeted sales and margin whilst maintaining or growing market share.
Deliver margin improvements through trading terms negotiation, group synergy projects, direct sourcing and value chain analysis.
Analysing category performance data to inform in-season trading and future propositional development, and take corrective action where necessary.
Ensure that all necessary admin procedures such as sales and margin reporting are completed.
Building category budget for sales and margin and re-forecasting throughout the year
Identify and execute opportunities for joint ventures, alliances or pilot programs

Supply & Sourcing

Build profitable supplier partnership to develop market position.
Develop a clear sourcing strategy to ensure the supply of quality products that meet the customer need through the most efficient route to market.
Develop high performing business partnerships with key suppliers, manufacturers and technology partners to maximise business opportunity.
Ensure cost effective exit of stock from the business
Annual review and negotiation of all supplier trading terms ensuring they are aligned with commercial goals and documented in Enable Deal Track (complexity drives who does this - could be Cat D or Cat M for example)
Monthly /annual tracking of supplier TA and Rebate contribution to ensure we can deliver budgeted expectations to manage any over or under delivery that can impact year end outturn.

Leadership & Team Development

Stay updated on renewable energy trends, policies, incentives and emerging technologies in order to be sector champion
Translate market insight into actionable development plans
Driving engagement with the category and its plans; be a visible ambassador/champion of your category, driving understanding through the business
Effective cross functional / business matrix relationship management to ensure category delivers on budget (retail ops, marketing, logistics, external suppliers)
Development of Customer Product Offer
Project manage the entry into a renewable installations service to maximise category sales and profit, this will include: sourcing new products and managing cross functional stakeholders and ongoing delete management.
Deliver a customer focussed proposition. Collaborate with stake-holders to deliver an end-to-end installation service offering the optimum balance of quality and value that aligns with the Wickes brand proposition.
Coordinate and support of market analysis , identifying growth opportunities and forecast demand trends.
Build the category road map to drive innovation , competitiveness and profitability.
Pricing & Promotions
Accurate management of cost and retail price
Day to day management of cost file and ensuring our cost file enables us to deliver the budget and margin rate
Management of retail pricing ensuring its within company policy
Use Trade planning process to drive promotional plans to drive customer volume online and in store, ensuring we have supplier support to deliver margin investment

What we're looking for:

The ideal candidate will have a degree or equivalent experience in buying with experience in category management or similar activity. You'll also have experience developing & executing a category strategy and dealing with complex data analysis. You'll also have:
Moderate Excel or google sheets skills
Supplier management
Ability to use analytical skills to draw insight to drive actions
Commercial acumen
Range development
Project delivery through cross functional teams
Good interpersonal skills and strong negotiation skills
Resilience under pressure
Able to work at pace
Flexible to changing demands
Ability to takes ownership for actions and managing workload
Ability to achieve through others

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 bonus
Save-as-you-earn scheme
Private Medical and Life Assurance
Enhanced contributory pension scheme
Colleague discount
Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme

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:

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 the Wickes' culture that is considered its 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.

Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required - general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form