Category Manager

At the **Independent Hardware Group**, we’re strengthening local communities one postcode at a time. We’re the leading supplier of over 600 independently owned stores nationwide - giving them a competitive advantage to take the big chains to task. And with trusted hardware brands like Mitre 10 and Home Timber & Hardware, we can turn local retailers into the best stores in town giving locals the tools and support to build strong communities - literally **About Us** At the Independent Hardware Group, we are passionate and committed to our purpose of championing successful independent businesses Australia wide and at the same time strengthening local communities’ one postcode at a time. We’re the leading partner to over 635 independently owned stores - giving them a competitive advantage to take the big chains to task, and with the trusted, strong heritage, hardware brands of Mitre 10 and Home Hardware, we enable retailers to the best stores in their town and as such ensuring builders, renovators and DIY’ers build, renovate and maintain the best homes for Australian families. The business is the 2nd largest player in the Australian hardware market. It is Trade focused with a competitive DIY offer with a rich consumer engagement supported by digital capabilities. **Let’s talk about you** You will the experience to maximise all product sourcing and development opportunities, deliver an effective, competitive product range and assortment plan, manage all marketing and promotional activities, build strong relationships and negotiate with key suppliers and work closely and supportively with the Independent Hardware Group store networks to ensure ongoing supply and growth **Sounds great Tell me about the role** - Drive overall performance of the category and company position to achieve budgetary targets and organisational objectives through business and category planning. - Keep abreast of all emerging trends, competitor landscape, and gaps in the marketplace to identify opportunities within the category to contribute to category growth. - Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships that mutually develop business plans, drive strategy, and deliver competitive pricing, range solutions and promotional offers. Negotiate with suppliers on pricing, terms, inventory and service requirements. - Develop and implement an effective promotional marketing program across the Independent Hardware Group brands including supplier negotiation, pricing, product selection, presentation and performance review. Ensuring accuracy in communication to protect business interests. - Develop training programs in conjunction with suppliers. - Assist our stores to improve their business performance through appropriate communication and support including the provision of category plans. - Maximise all product sourcing and development opportunities to deliver an effective, competitive product range and assortment plan. - Regularly visit our stores and competitor stores to review - Manage inventory within the category to ensure stock efficiency and maximise sales opportunities. - Conduct business in a fair, ethical and respectful manner whilst maintaining a balanced relationship between the interests of the supplier, the company and members. **You’re Likely a Match If you have** - Strong communication and coaching skills with strategic category planning and ranging experience - Ability to manage and prioritise competing deadlines, with the ability to manage high pressure situations. - Advanced analytical skills with the ability to develop and implement key changes quickly and accurately - Knowledge and understanding of suppliers, ranging, merchandising - Demonstrate strong leadership, interpersonal and influencing skills with mínimal supervision. - Enthusiastic, pro-active, reliable, resilient, self-motivated with strong attention to detail, managing multiple tasks, - A flexible, can-do attitude is a must **Life at Metcash** Experience a supportive and flexible work environment. We are a FlexReady accredited workplace Enjoy a 5th week of annual leave every year after your first year. Benefit from 2 well-being days and 1 volunteer day annually. An abundance of learning, development, and career growth opportunities. 12 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave for primary carers. Proudly awarded “Bronze Employer for LGBTQ Inclusion”. Recognised as 45th in the global "Equileap Top 100" for initiatives on gender equity. - ️A neutral gender pay gap of under 5% as published by WGEA 2022- 2023 Gold accreditation by Mental Health Australia. Incredible value discounts and perks through our team member app, “Our Local”. **About Us** Metcash is Australia’s leading wholesale distribution company, with revenue 1 exceeding $18 billion in FY23. We’re also an ASX top 100 listed company. We believe that it is absolutely vital to Australia that there is a sustainable, independent, family-owned business sector. Indep