Job Title:  Category Manager Reporting To: Head of Marketing & Product Overall Objective: To manage strategy for specified product ranges, including sourcing products, manage supply base, negotiate commercial buying terms and pricing, merchandise and marketing of products through Slingsby’s different selling platforms. Day to day management of a small team. KEY TASKS • Liaise and negotiate with suppliers and make decisions on product range, price/margin, rebates, marketing contributions, quality and service. • Product sourcing, supplier evaluation and selection, with a particular focus on sourcing from overseas for commercial margin gain. • Review and make recommendations to supplier agreements. • Assist in driving overall product strategy, and overall responsibility for achieving margin targets within the team. • Drive ‘Slingsby own-brand’ product range cross-category to include product development, supplier negotiations, product branding and packaging decisions. • Review existing product range performance, both online and offline. • Monitor and merchandise online product listings and product ranges. • Range management to include; - resourcing and switching sources of supply for commercial gains. - managing products out of the range with associated price and stock actions. - new product creations to include range extensions and the addition of new product areas where required alongside category strategy. - management of discontinued products/ranges, considering outstanding stock and/or customer service requirements. • Assist in the timely creation of new products, enhancement of product content and upkeep of products on the product information management system, working with the Product Admin Team. • Manage and mentor the team on a day to day basis providing guidance and assisting on making decisions. • Regularly produce sales and competitor analysis to assist range strategy and key decision making for the Product & Marketing Teams. • Carry out sourcing trips when needed. • Ensure procedures & documentation are in place to meet latest product legislation. • Responsible for timely completion of catalogue page production & other direct mail associated with specified product ranges. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS • Comply with Company rules, regulations and working practices. • Present a good image of the Company externally. • Carry out any other additional duties that might be required. Personal Specification • Experience of managing a direct report or small team to achieve objectives and meet deadlines and priorities. • A proven record of overseas sourcing from Europe and the Far East, as well as experience of attending Trade Shows and Exhibitions both in the UK and abroad. • Experience of working with a Product Information Management System for the management of products on e-commerce platforms and catalogue production. • Experience of working within a B2B environment with an understanding of the requirements for both drop-shipping and stocked products. • Experience of Microsoft Excel, critical path management and managing a team through change. • Experience of supplier negotiation skills and understanding the impact of decision making both internally cross-company and externally customer facing. • A positive can-do attitude is a must in this role. Enthusiasm, drive, perseverance and pro-activeness are all personal quality requirements. • Knowledge of workplace or industrial products and associated supply base is desirable but not an essential. • Skills in project management are desirable but not essential.