Category Director

About the role

The Category Director holds responsibility for the line of business teams within the Partner Management organization. The role builds relevant commercial partner relationships with manufacturers and distributors partners with the aim of achieving a commercial competitive advantage. The Category Director’s responsibility is split between Partner Management and Margin Control and People Management (of Category Managers).  This role will influence and contribute to department strategy, have authority and responsibility for a significant area of work and be accountable for actions and decisions taken by self and subordinate

What you'll be doing

 

Leadership and Management (60%)

 

The Category Director will:

• Be responsible and accountable for P&L target achievement and attainment of growth goals
• Directly manage two or more full-time equivalent Category Managers
• Coach, mentor, and lead the line of business team in driving high business performance
• Develop staff, provide regular feedback and evaluate performance 
• Lead by example
• Implement the strategic vision and operational delivery of the category (in line with Company objectives and in alignment to Strategic Sales Alliances), creating a culture where every team member contributes to personal and business success

 

Personal Business contribution (40%)

• Senior relationship management with vendor partners / suppliers – Point of escalation for commercial and operational challenges and business improvement objectives
• Commercial subject matter expert on large / complex deal negotiation for the category
• High level engagement within Computacenter business units and sales teams for category area
• Partnering with other category directors to drive complementary business solutions for Computacenter
• Development of skills to be able to manage other categories as and when needed
• Ensure top 5 vendors for business area have clear understanding of Computacenter business value proposition and operational procedures

 

Management/Business Focus 

 

The Category Director will be accountable and responsible for team performance on:

• Working with vendors to understand their business objectives and develop strategies and plans to support attainment of those objectives
• Responsible for the development of plans that drive measurable improvement in vendor return (revenue, marketing rebates & soft rebates) that culminate in Category revenue and contribution growth.
• Manage supplier/vendor performance to meet contractual obligations, deliverables and day-to-day operations to maximize customer service experience
• Set and manage inventory stocking levels, whilst minimizing/eliminating risk
• Publication of product information, price lists and pricing guidelines to support business
• Manage product line analysis and market research to assist in identifying opportunities to gain market share and improve profitability.
• Drive smart buying, deal buying and rebate annuity income to contribute to sustainable profitable business.
• Communicate to all business areas strategic and tactical news updates utilizing relevant mediums (email, presentations, web etc)
• Work closely with Marketing functions to contribute to campaigns
• Work closely with e-commerce teams to contribute to exploiting web selling opportunities
• PVC/MDF and Soft Doller Reconciliation 
• Improve stock turns and reduce working capital impacts
• Manage and minimize risk with complex contract negotiations working in partnership with legal, Strategic sales Alliances                                                                     

 

What you have

• Ability to lead and manage a team, offering motivation, guidance & personal development.
• Able to clearly articulate and well justify strategies and/or business plans
• Ability to effectively present information and work cross functionally with groups of managers, customers, other employees, and Vendors/Suppliers
• Ability to understand strategic objectives and develop plans to facilitate obtainment of those objectives 
• Excellent written, oral communication, commercial, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Highly self-motivated & proactive approach to business development
• Good knowledge of the IT market
• Educated to degree level standard or has relevant experience
• Experience in Product Marketing, Product Management, Sales or Procurement environments                    
• Knows, applies an