Category Manager - Shirley, Solihull
Full Time, Permanent
The Role:
An exciting opportunity for an experienced Category Manager has become available at our Head Office, reporting to the Head of Commercial. The Category Manager will have responsibility for leading the commercial performance of assigned product categories, ensuring profitability and alignment with company strategy. This role drives category growth through planning, pricing, supplier relationships and cross-functional collaboration.
The Person:
Successful candidates should have a proven track-record of delivering category plans with sustained profitable growth, and experience within the building materials sector or an equivalent multi-site distribution business would be an advantage. Being commercially minded and results-focused, you will possess strong negotiation, analytical, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and translate business objectives into successful commercial outcomes. Knowledge of Excel and Phocas/Power BI data analysis tools along with Kerridge ERP systems would be beneficial.
Key Tasks:
· Take full accountability for the commercial performance of assigned product categories, ensuring targets/ performance criteria are achieved to meet objectives.
· Develop and implement long-term category, product, pricing, and procurement strategies to drive sustainable growth and profitability.
· Analyse sales data, market trends, customer behaviour, and competitor activity to identify opportunities and informed strategic decisions.
· Negotiate supply agreements and manage supplier relationships to deliver strong commercial outcomes along with measured service levels.
· Maintain full ownership of the product file, including cost prices, selling prices, technical data, terms (including price support), and rebates.
· Work collaboratively with sales, marketing, finance, and branch teams to communicate key product, pricing, supplier, and web/promotional information.
· Lead product lifecycle management, including range optimisation, new product development (NPD) and exit strategies for underperforming products/ranges.
· Collaborate with branches and operational teams to determine product ranges, stock locations, and appropriate stockholding levels.
· Forecast product demand and manage inventory levels to ensure supply continuity, stock availability, and minimise aged or excess stock.
· Represent the business with supplier networks, buying group committees, industry forums, ensuring compliance with company policies, governance standards, and legislation.
About Us
With 100 years’ experience in the construction industry, we are proud to be one of the largest independent builders’ merchants in the UK. We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, knowledgeable staff and comprehensive range of building products.
As a family run business, we put the customer first and continue to build on our core values ensuring that we offer our customers the best service possible – today, tomorrow and into the future.
Benefits
- A competitive basic salary
- Company pension scheme
- Life Assurance Scheme
- Health Cash Plan – Salary Sacrifice
- Company workwear/PPE provided
- Employee Assistance Programme
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Solihull B90 4LH: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Have you applied for a job at EH Smith previously?
- Have you had an interview with EH Smith previously?
- Have you worked for EH Smith previously?
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
