Category Business Manager - Hardware

What’s in it for you:

• A once in a lifetime opportunity - to take on a pioneering role and contribute to this organisations’ broader growth agends
• To be part of an ecofriendly and sustainably centric organisation – focussed on minimising its impact on the planet in every way
• Career growth and personal development – this is a role that will scale. As the category takes off with sales increases and range expansions, a Hardware Business Unit will need be formed, and sales reps appointed, with you taking the lead role
• To be rewarded with a generous salary package – made up of base, super, FMV plus bonus and many other non-financial benefits
• To be part of a culture that is – balanced, down to earth, incredibly flexible and one that values its most important asset, its people
• To be in role with high visibility - that will utilise all of your skill sets across category management, market analysis, sales, relationship development, product management and collaboration 

Your prospective employer:
Welcome to the home of innovation! This multi award winning, privately-owned Australian company has a very proud history of developing and supplying world-class, sustainable products, brands and solutions within the building category nationwide. With a strong reputation for quality, agility and unparalleled service they are now one of the largest and most respected independent distributors as well as being the industry leader in their market. With ‘opportunity knocking’ everywhere, now is the ideal time to further develop a customer-led offer in the hardware category providing a further compelling reason for their customers to buy. We are therefore now searching for a Category Business Manager - Hardware who is hungry to be part of this organisation’s next chapter by playing a critical part in contributing to the broader growth agenda. This is a role that will scale.

What does an average week look like?:
Your remit will be to further create, build and execute a compelling vision for the highly opportunistic hardware category and then be responsible for driving the adaptive change through the organisation to support the sales and category management process. More specifically you will:

• Have full end-to-end accountability for the customer offer within the hardware category, including the decision making relating to ranging, the promotional calendar, sales and category targets, product availability, merchandising, supplier strategy and support, pricing and COG’s management. The role also works very closely with the brand/private label team and strategic partners/suppliers on the sourcing and development of the branded offers to ensure strong alignment with customer requirements
• Reviewing and forming the pricing, sales and marketing strategies will naturally form part of your remit, as will ensuring expertise knowledge is applied in forecasting, inventory management, commercial/trading terms negotiation and supplier management and development
• As the hardware category sales starts to ‘take off’ and range expands, you will appoint at least 2 Sales Reps in the first instance, to cover the VIC and QLD markets, while you focus on the NSW market in conjunction with your Category Management role
• You will provide leadership to your customers, developing and capitalising upon retailer and supplier relationships and you will be focused on growth and sustainability of the business through competitive and profitable promotions and complaint retailing standards

While the fundamentals of category management are the backbone of the role, the ability to influence a diverse internal and external stakeholder network to drive sales and to introduce and lead ‘best practice’ category management principles and processes will be a critical element of success.

Here’s what it will take:

• You are a reputable self-starting talented ‘merchant’ with proven knowledge in all things category and product management in the hardware category. Your experience may have been gained from the supplier or retail side (or both)
• You are a leader who is professionally mature: you inspire confidence, you are incredibly commercial, and you are motivated by driving a customer-led agenda
• You are proven in your understanding and demonstrated application of the ‘best in class category management principles
• You are a practical visionary: you think beyond and deliver tomorrows innovation today and you have always demonstrated sound judgment in anticipating challenges, problem-solving, and seeking the right resources to resolve issues
• You take a non-hierarchical approach: you are prepared and comfortable getting your hands dirty as much as you are performing the strategic and high-level relationship and category management aspects of the role
• You have an ability to influence a diverse internal and external stakeholder network: you inspire with ease, and you can drive change, develop sales opportunities and strategies and with people always on your journey
• You are resilient, tenacious, consistent and thorough and your glass is always “half full”
• You can scale: you have the skills to effectively build teams and resources
• You have the flexibility to travel: frequent travel is required. It is envisaged you will be interstate on average 1 week per month, spread out over the month of 1-2 day trips/overnight stays

Opportunities like this don’t come every day. Interest and further queries are welcome. Please email Gabby Symons, MD, People Equity on gabbys@peopleequity.com.au or 0432 261 116. Otherwise, please apply ASAP. Shortlisting now.