Role Profile:

A Category Manager defines the tactical and strategic direction of product lines within each category in line with the product calendars as well as assessing and managing the product. Business mix to achieve Company Financial and Business objectives.

This role that requires frequent interaction with management and operations teams, providing solutions and recommendations to the business and making decisions in a fast paced & exciting retail environment.

Exemplary Stakeholder skills are a necessity. Responsibilities and essential job functions include but are not limited to the following:

Sourcing and vendor Management Strategy:

• Effectively develop and lead sourcing strategies, effectively manage suppliers and internal networks to deliver best in class performance for the relevant spend area
• Consistently deliver measurable and strategic goals to enable a competitive advantage to bottom-line and top-line company growth, and corporate social responsibility leadership
• Effectively collaborate internally and with suppliers
• Develop effective multiyear negotiation strategies to enable success
• Lead highly complex, cross functional sourcing teams whenever this is necessary

 Supplier Engagement and Management:

• Employ strong knowledge of key global industry players, competitors, and market dynamics.
• Develop new business and professional relationships with strategic suppliers and industry players
• Professionally manage and measure suppliers for continuous performance and improvement
• Ensures that Contract Life Cycle is being tracked and reported upon against budget burn and savings
• Conducts regular contract performance and administrative compliance reviews on ongoing contracts for category with Head of Contract and Commercial and area Director

 Cross-Functional Projects:

• Employ advanced program and project management tools, solutions and techniques.
• Effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Independently solve problems and make decisions for primary and strategic execution and tactical issues within the relevant portfolio of projects and or processes.
• Provide day to day oversight and perform a hands-on execution role
• Ensure potential disputes are identified and resolved quickly to mitigate scale and complexity of issues.
• Work with Business teams to ensure commercial and contractual terms are shaped in the bidding process

Work with Business colleagues to determine costing and payment positions, protecting company financial performance and cash flow