With the support of the Commercial/ Category Director and/or Senior Category Manager, create and lead the business plan for allocated categories of responsibility to drive strategic & tactical growth of the categories to support the delivery of the budgeted sales and profit target.At STARK, one of Northern Europe’s leading building materials distributors, we’re strengthening our commercial team and looking for Category Managers who know what it takes to support branches, deliver the right product ranges, and build strong supplier partnerships. If you enjoy getting under the skin of your categories, understand the realities of merchanting, and want to make a real impact, this could be the ideal next move.We offer a supportive environment where your expertise is valued, along with a competitive salary, staff discount, life assurance and 34 days’ holiday (including bank holidays). You’ll also have clear opportunities to grow your career within a progressive, branch-focused organisation.---**What you’ll be doing**Working closely with the Commercial/Category Director and Senior Category Manager, you’ll lead the business plan for your allocated categories – shaping strategy, driving sales and margin, and ensuring branches have all the products needed to do the job.This role is central to how we serve our customers. You’ll be the “go-to” expert for your categories, influencing everything from supplier agreements to pricing, promotions, and product range development. We currently have vacancies across a number of categories would love to hear from you.**What you’ll bring**· Strong experience in category management or procurement within merchanting, construction products, or a related industry.· A proven track record of building ranges that meet customer project needs and deliver budgeted commercial results.· Confidence negotiating supplier terms based on facts, insight, and strong commercial judgement.· A deep understanding of customer needs, market trends and competitor activity.· Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable plans.· The ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.· Strong communication skills, able to engage stakeholders at every level—including presenting to board and supplier leadership.· Determination, ownership, and accountability – always focused on delivering improvements for branches, customers, and suppliers.· Good IT literacy across Microsoft applications and database systems.· Willingness to support, coach and develop junior team members.---Key ResponsibilitiesIn this role, you will:· Lead the 2–3-year category strategy, ensuring ranges deliver customer project requirements and meet sales and profit targets.· Act as the first point of contact for all internal and external stakeholders on your categories.· Negotiate and deliver supplier trading agreements aligned to group goals.· Deliver clear reporting and insight on category performance, identifying opportunities to improve pricing, promotions, sales, and ranging.· Understand and support STARK’s sustainability agenda, including responsible sourcing and category impact on emissions, packaging, and product circularity.· Partner with STARK UK functions and local branches—helping them make great commercial decisions.· Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams, adapting your approach to maximise collaboration and results.· Support broader commercial projects and continuous improvement activities across the business.· Role model safe, sustainable working practices.A wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare and more. Where a role is advertised as full-time, we are open to discussing part-time and job share options during the application process. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you to be at your best.STARK Building Materials UK comprises 14 brands, including one of the UK’s leading builders’ merchants Jewson, along with JP Corry and Normans, specialist brands Minster and Jewson Civils Frazer, as well as major timber importer and distributor, International Timber.With over 600 dedicated builders merchant branches and distribution centres, this makes us one of the UK’s largest retailers and distributors of building and construction materials.However, more importantly, our dedicated team and the high-quality products we offer make us trusted, expert partners to the industry.Together, we give our customers hassle-free access to the market-leading, sustainable solutions they need to build responsibly for the future.If you’d like to build that future with us, check out our careers page or get in touch.Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match.At STARK Building Materials UK, we are known for our building distribution, but in reality, it is our colleagues that drive our business forward. All around the UK, in our branches, warehouses and offices, our team give everything to make building better for our customers.We value our customers, the communities we work in and the colleagues in our team, who collectively build our business to ever greater heights every day.We strive to create a workplace where all colleagues feel safe and empowered to do their best and are comfortable to bring their true selves to work every day.We are proud that we offer all our colleagues a great place to work. #J-18808-Ljbffr