Assistant Category Manager

Do you thrive in a commercial environment and enjoy negotiating with suppliers? Do you relish the challenge of driving sustainable profitable sales and putting customers and branches at the heart of everything you do? Do you have great attention to detail, an ability to multitask and enjoy problem solving? If the answer is yes then Travis Perkins are currently recruiting for an Assistant Category Manager to join the Timber team within Commercial.

At Travis Perkins, our mission is simply to be the best builders merchants in town. We operate in an ever-changing and highly competitive market and have over 200 year’s heritage behind us, and we continue to grow and adapt in order to win.Come and realise your potential with a company built on great people and the very best products.

What you’ll do

We have two opportunities within our commercial team as an Assistant Category Manager. This is your opportunity to stamp your personality across either our Timber or Plumbing and Heating Category, supporting the implementation of product category strategies within the Travis Perkins Group whilst being fully supported along the way.

You’ll own the customer proposition, you will drive innovation of new products, influence the trading margin and mix - and support the wider Commercial Strategy in growing and managing our product base and business performance whilst building and maintaining fantastic relationships with our branches, providing them with the service that they need to win.

You will also help with the creation and delivery of individual range and pricing strategies aligned to the category plan and overall business strategy, to deliver or exceed AOP and grow market share.

Along with the above you will…

• Help with the creation and delivery of individual range and pricing strategies aligned to the category plan and overall business strategy, to deliver or exceed AOP and grow market share.
• Creation of accurate content for promotional / marketing activity to support my category/supplier plans.
• The creation of individual supplier and trading plans as aligned to the category plan, to optimise sales and profit potential.
• Analyse data and produce and review reports to develop the ‘fact-base’ for my categories, and use that information to inform/direct activities with suppliers and business initiatives.
• Identify areas of opportunity/concern within the day to day category performance and suggest/take appropriate action.
• Utilise my knowledge and experience to participate in and lead supplier negotiations/general update meetings, working with the Category Manager / Category Assistant to ensure any preparatory materials are delivered accurately and timely.
• Development of relationships to support the management of key stakeholders, including preparation and delivery of presentations to achieve category objectives.
• Work independently using my commercial acumen to identify ‘one off’ and on-going opportunities for commercial enhancements.
• Work as a contact for queries within my category from internal and external sources and responding to these in a timely manner.
• Work with the Category Assistant to ensure accuracy of product data and work with suppliers to ensure ongoing improvements are always on the agenda.
• Define lifecycle management strategy and optimum route-to-market for each channel by supplier/category, in conjunction with the Category Manager, and be responsible for delivering agreed actions.
• To work collaboratively and develop relationships across multiple functions and business units to lead commercial projects / initiatives for my category and deliver agreed objectives.
• Work with the Category Manager to drive a continuous improvement agenda with suppliers and colleagues to continually improve H&S performance, awareness and product/packaging safety.
  
  

Is this you?

You may currently already work for us within Commercial or a branch, and are looking for the opportunity to step up or into a new role and develop your skills. We’ll need you to have excellent negotiation and influencing skills along with a strong commercial mind and an instinct for a deal. You’ll be working closely with our suppliers, branches and sales teams, so we’ll need you to utilise your great communication skills and ability to influence. Most importantly, we’re looking for someone to show passion and ambition to ensure we are getting the best deals for our customers, always.

Life at Travis Perkins is a fast paced environment and can be pressurised at times; however, if having an active role in a challenging business and being part of a dynamic team is what drives and motivates you then we would love to hear from you.

If you don’t have all the experience required we can put you through an apprenticeship to support you!

What’s in it for you?

Not Sure you Qualify? We’re driving to become a truly inclusive employer, where everyone in our Group feels safe, welcome and confident to be their authentic selves - you be you, it makes us, us, as we say. If you’re interested in this opportunity but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be just the right candidate for this or other roles with us.

You’ll be supported by some fantastic training and development and have the opportunity to learn, grow and develop across the Travis Perkins Group.

We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that grows as you grow with the company:

• Save-as-you-earn scheme
• Buy-as-you-earn scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Colleague discount across a variety of Group businesses
  
  

A Bit About Us

As the largest distributor of building materials in the UK, Travis Perkins has been helping to build Britain for over 200 years.

With over 5 businesses, 16,000 colleagues and more than 1,200 branches, stores and sites around the UK we believe we have the best people and the best place to work. Everyone works hard together to deliver results, but most importantly, have some fun along the way!