Category Manager

**Date**:10 Jan 2025

**Location**: Mascot, NSW, AU, 2020

**Company**:Winc Australia

**ABOUT US**:
Winc is a workplace support company. We free up companies to do what they do best by taking care of everything a workplace needs to work - all in one place and delivered. We're here for all organisations, whether they're an SME or large enterprise, in education or health, private sector or government.

**ROLE PURPOSE**:
The **Category Manager** will support the Head of Category Management in developing and executing category strategies that align with the company’s commercial objectives. Main deliverables of the role include but not limited to:

- **Category Strategy Development & Execution**
- Collaborate with the Head of Category Management to design and implement strategies that drive growth, profitability, and innovation within assigned categories.
- **Supplier Relationship Management**
- Build and maintain robust partnerships with suppliers to ensure competitive terms, product quality, and reliable service.
- **Market Analysis**
- Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends, customer needs, and opportunities for category development.
- **Commercial Performance Optimization**
- Monitor category performance against targets, identifying and addressing areas for improvement to achieve commercial success.
- **Cross-Functional Collaboration**
- Work closely with internal teams, including sales, marketing, and supply chain, to ensure seamless category execution and alignment with overall business objectives.
- **Negotiation & Contract Management**
- Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and conditions while fostering long-term supplier partnerships.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**:

- Drive sales & margin growth through effective category management practices to enhance customer experience and achieve commercial objectives
- Develop and implement strategic direction for category including product offering, positioning, product life cycle, promotions and key selling strategies (in collaboration with Sales) to drive growth and penetration
- Continuously analyse data and insights to determine market trends and threats and unlock growth opportunities
- Drive alignment and transparency with the Sales, Marketing, Procurement & Inventory teams, with a focus to improve customer experience and drive profit improvements across all customer segments and channels
- Develop and manage ongoing vendor partnerships, ensuring the best possible commercial arrangements on all products and solutions
- Coach and lead Category Specialist to develop their technical and analytical capability to drive continuous improvement and simplification in Merchandise processes
- Support Own Brand range offering and penetration to increase margin
- Experience in managing Technology (Computer Hardware & Accessories) and Ink & Toner will be highly beneficial.

**WHAT WE LOOK FOR**:

- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
- 3-5 years of experience in **Category Management** or **Strategic Sourcing/Buying** roles
- B2B experience is highly advantageous
- Strong commercial acumen
- Previous team management experience with demonstrated leadership capabilities
- Experience working in a transformational environment
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Experience managing a technology product range (e.g., computer hardware and accessories) is desirable but not essential

**WORKING WITH WINC**:

- We believe we’re better and smarter together and our values reflect our commitment to creating a welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment.
- We all reap the rewards of diversity with gender equity across teams, senior management and internal promotions as just the beginning.
- We are committed to First Nations empowerment and support and clear on our responsibility to take action to address the imbalance in opportunities.
- We are focused on working towards a more sustainable future with our Winc Social Agenda - our plan to make a difference across six pillars of social responsibility (Safe Work Practices, Gender Equity, First Nations Empowerment and Support, Climate Change, Responsible Packaging/Management of Waster and Ethical Sourcing).
- We’re passionate about setting our people up for success and providing the training, tools and environment to enable you to perform your best and develop your career at Winc.
- We take care of our people through our internal Mental Health First Aider network, free access to our Employee Assistance Program, and generous leave entitlements to support you through the various priorities and stages of life (e.g. Lifestyle Leave, Volunteering Leave, Cultural Awareness Leave, Sorry Business Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Domestic Violence Leave).
- And finally, there’s plenty of perks Our much loved quarterly Our Heroes recognition program, team discounts, corporate partner discounts. People say it’s a really collaborative and supportive environment - why don’t you be the judge?