Senior Category Manager Front Shop at UPD

• An exciting opportunity has become available for a Senior Category Manager Front Shop to work for United Pharmaceutical Distributors (UPD). The role will be based in Lea Glen, and will report to the Distributions Executive.

Job Purpose: 

• To develop and execute the category strategy in order to achieve and exceed the category financial targets through rapidly accelerating category depth, strengthen pricing strategy and driving brands to increase market share and profitability. Playing an active role in mentoring and coaching of others.

Job Objectives: 

• To develop and implement a category plan for specific product ranges to ensure reduced cost of goods, optimise contract terms and increase income, assume responsibility of budget and revenue for category
• To negotiate favourable trading terms and promotional spend (co-op), actively cultivate, develop and maintain vendor relationships and partnerships to ensure vendor performance and first to market with new product launches                                                             
• To maintain relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products lines
• To implement a plan that will achieve the UPD’s value proposition through price and promotion whilst achieving promotional sales targets
• To translate the operating and financial plans into a balanced product assortment and visual on-shelf display to meet the customer’s needs
• To regularly review performance indicators, such as sales, margin and promo quantification, keeping the business updated on financial performance versus market and plan  
• To conduct range reviews, analyse consumer buying patterns, predict future trends and stay abreast with competitor activity.
• To work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including marketing and Clubcard to ensure effective delivery of the operating plan                                 

Requirements

Job Education:

• B Degree or Diploma in Retail, Purchasing Management or similar (Essential) 

Job Experience:

• 4-6 years Category Management experience
• 2-3 years People Management experience
• Managing objectives
• Experience with local and global supplier networks
• Valid driver’s licence

Competency Requirements:

• Relating and Networking
• Presenting and Communicating Information
• Persuading and Influencing
• Analyzing
• Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking
• Adapting and Responding to Change
• Creating and Innovating
• Delivering Results and Meeting Customer Expectations

Job Related Skills:

• Strong Financial/Business acumen with a merchant mindset
• Strong negotiation skills
• Planning and organisational skills
• Ability to build strong supplier relationships
• Competency in all computer packages, i.e. Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint
• Verbal and written communication
• Problem solving and analytical thinking
• Strategic thinking and decision making
• Attention to detail
• Project management
• Training facilitation

Job Related Knowledge:

• Operating plan development
• Supplier relationship management
• Procurement and Supply Chain
• Business Objectives and Strategies
• Business Processes
• Retail Management
• Market trends and competitor analysis
• Understanding of supplier co-op negotiations and trading terms
• Financial planning and budgets
• Relevant legislation                                                                                                                                              
• Sales and Margin Management