Category Manager

Job Description

Exciting opportunity to join a progressive and diverse team with excellent benefits!

The Category Manager will develop portfolio, category, and supplier strategies for a select group of suppliers and products within a portfolio for Europe.  

They will work to ensure the portfolio strategy is implemented by the key internal partners, including Product Regional Managers, Technical Application Specialists, Segmented Commercial Field Sales, Inside Sales, Emerging Markets and Marketing teams. They will interact with the relevant Commercial, Marketing, Customer Services and Supply Chain Leadership.

They will be tasked with the management of a category, or categories, of products and suppliers, or a selection of focus suppliers. Working to ensure optimum supplier/product positioning, pricing and promotions are used to drive revenue growth. Key supplier relationships will be led through regular contact and business reviews to secure appropriate supplier engagement and support. 

They may also be allocated exciting projects to drive additional value and evolution of the Portfolio Management Team!

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and implement fully aligned European category strategies through the commercial teams, marketing campaigns and activities.

Lead portfolio expansion and support product margin optimization, supplier funding generation, growth initiatives and develop customer segment strategies.

Develop and lead select Key suppliers' performance through the Supplier Tiering Program running regular business reviews with supplier Senior Leadership.Ensure maximum engagement of the suppliers in supporting the sales growth, strategy deployment and improving customer experience.

Track and analyze the strategy deployment through growth, profitability and share gain in the defined territory. Define corrective action and implement to meet or exceed the Annual Operating Plan.

Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the portfolio and regulatory requirements, the breadth of brands and competitors, and the range of requirements demanded by our customers and feedback to Category Management Team.

Develop a network of senior professionals and data sources to provide market intelligence.

Provide commentary and report any issues to Portfolio Management and lead corrective actions to enable dynamic and quick reaction in the strategy.

Responsible for the day-to-day management of the category and suppliers, maintaining strong commercially effective senior business relations within the key supplier’s leadership. Develop and maintain the required connections between our internal functions and our suppliers. 

Deep analysis of monthly sales data to gain understanding of market dynamics, develop corrective actions and lead key supplier quarterly business reviews. Complete month reporting tasks. 

Ad hoc requests from Category Leadership or personally identify new Growth Initiatives, Margin Expansion Opportunities, Practical Process Improvement projects and programmes that support the categories AOP, financial, operational and customer experience initiatives. 

Problem-solve product/supplier support request coming from internal partners.

Support yearly price roll, including communication with suppliers.

Establish strong cross functional relationships to drive revenue

Develop a Fisherbrand strategy for the Category and collaborate with Sourcing Team on execution.

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications / Proficiencies:

Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, or a scientific field is desired.  An advanced degree in business or science is helpful.

4+ years of lab proven experience, preferably in a commercial or portfolio management role.

Up to 20% travel in EMEA

Proficient in English, additional European Languages would be helpful. 

Excellent digital literacy (Must be proficient with Excel, Word and Power Point) 

Confidence to present, influence and manage a relationship with Director and Vice- President level supplier partners. 

Knowledge of the scientific marketplace, including laboratory products, applications, and customer requirements. 

Sales, marketing, or other commercial functional knowledge. 

Ability to develop/implement strategies and sound recommendations based on both quantitative and qualitative inputs with understanding of financial drivers. 

Excellent leadership, interpersonal, customer orientation, presentation, and problem-solving skills. 

Strong Time Management Skills with flexibility and a functional understanding of managing personal efficiency. 

Well-developed general business sense with a detailed understanding of financial data and reporting methodologies, including common Key Performance Indicator metrics. 

Must demonstrate leadership and positive relationship management and influencing skills. 

Valid passport, with ability to travel through EU and UK without VISA. 

Self-management and focus to lead multiple projects and deadlines

Have an excellent command of internal systems; identify patterns and trends within data to assist with category analysis that will demand excellent knowledge of research tools.