Job Title: Category Manager – Heavyside – MKM Building Supplies

Location: Hull with hybrid working as an option

Reports to: Head of Category - HBM

Job Summary: Due to expansion, we are seeking a proactive and commercially driven Category Manager to join our dynamic category team at MKM.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in managing a number of product categories, focusing on deep engagement with our branch network, fostering strong supplier relationships, and driving commercial success. This role will be hybrid – with 3 days a week being based within our Central Support function in Hull.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic thinker who can balance operational needs with long-term category development.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Branch Engagement:

• Collaborate closely with our Branch Directors and their teams to understand local market needs and ensure through product and commercial agreements, our branches can be a market leader in their locality.
• Provide guidance and support to branches, to allow the most appropriate decisions to be made on a local level.

1. Supplier Relationship Management:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with our key suppliers, negotiating commercial terms which enhance the MKM position as a market leading growth business.
• Work with suppliers to ensure product availability at all times, understand the market and legislation changes and support joint marketing initiatives.
• Monitor supplier performance, addressing any issues promptly to maintain and future proof the MKM supply chain.

1. Commercial Focus:

• Review and understand sales and margin data, market trends, and customer insights to develop and implement progressive category strategies.
• Collaborate with internal teams within central support to drive category growth, ensuring a competitive edge in the market.

1. Product Management:

• Oversee the product lifecycle from selection to discontinuation, ensuring optimal stock levels and minimising aged stock.
• Lead product and range reviews to keep the category offerings relevant on a local basis and profitable.
• Coordinate with the marketing team to develop impactful campaigns that highlight key products and drive customer numbers.

1. Performance Analysis and Reporting:

• Regularly review category performance, providing detailed reports and actionable insights to senior management.
• Use data-driven analysis to forecast trends, identify risks, and realise commercial opportunities within the category.

1. Collaboration and Communication:

• Work cross-functionally with all teams within Central Support, including Marketing, Digital, Finance and Trading Support.
• Communicate category plans and actions effectively across the business, ensuring local branch needs are recognised and met.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Experience: Proven experience in a similar role within a builder’s merchant or related sector is essential.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of commercial principles, with a track record of driving category profitability.
• Supplier Negotiation: Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to foster long-term, beneficial relationships with suppliers.
• Branch Network Understanding: Experience working closely with branch networks, understanding their operational needs and challenges.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in understanding market and category data to inform future decision making and supporting our branches to make the appropriate decisions for their local market.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills,
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement effective category strategies that align with the wider MKM business objectives.

Benefits

In return, you can be a part of the UK’s leading independent Builders Merchant and winner of many industry awards. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• A competitive pay package.
• Performance related bonus
• People orientated culture.
• Substantial staff discounts.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Holiday scheme which rewards length of service.
• Perkbox discounts
• Contributory pension scheme
• Financial Planning Support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• Enhanced Maternity
• Enhanced Paternity
• Substantial Employee Discount
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health Support

MKM is the leading independent builders’ merchant in the UK, and we were established in 1995. Our people are what make us unique in what we do. Today we have more than 135 branches and over 3100 employees nationwide. Whilst we continue to grow, we are constantly striving to always attract, recruit, retain, promote, and support a diverse mix of colleagues that create a sense of belonging to the ‘MKM family’ for everyone. We hope you will join us on our journey!