Wickes is more than just the nation’s favourite DIY store. We’re part of the Travis Perkins Group, one of the UK’s top employers.  That’s why the first thing you’ll notice at Wickes is the way everyone pulls together. It’s a place where we’ll ask for your ideas, listen to your opinions and value the contributions you make. Chances are you’ve never experienced anything quite like our culture.  All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.

A little about the role…

We are currently looking to recruit a Category Manager - Strategic Buying. The main purpose of the role will be to identify and maintain the best sources of supply for the components, product materials and services Wickes needs. You will have to consider all aspects of the supplier and Travis Perkins Group relationships, including quality, value and the ability to respond quickly to innovation and changing supply requirements.

As a key member of the Commercial function, the Category Manager must possess a diplomatic consultative approach, calling upon their knowledge to support and advise stakeholders whilst continuing to deliver their own KPIs through the supplier base.

The role requires wide Commercial experience, preferably in retail, with direct experience of purchasing goods both domestically and globally. In many cases, the opportunities investigated will be new ground for the business and the role therefore requires someone able to make accurate commercial recommendations, while influencing strongly to bring cross functional teams and suppliers with them.

Principle Accountabilities

• Personal accountability for an in-year cost of goods benefit delivery plan as agreed with the Head of Strategic Procurement

• Actively contribute to the development of the annual and 3 to 5 year sourcing plan through spend analysis and identification of opportunities

• initiate Design and plan future initiatives with Category teams that feed into a continually evolving pipeline of efficiency projects

• Manage buying projects that vary in complexity from single product tenders to those covering hundreds of products and entire categories

• Publish and manage critical paths for each project keeping clearly communicating dependencies risks to stakeholders

• Develop strong collaborative internal and external relationships with all key stakeholders, both within Wickes, the wider Travis Perkins Group functions and our suppliers. Manage and influence project teams across, Category Management, Supply Chain, QA, TP Far East Sourcing Shanghai, Finance and our suppliers

• Utilising an understanding of global commodity markets, freight rates, and currency movements, help identify suitable sourcing countries and regions, based on potential cost improvements, quality and supply chain efficiencies

• Recognise the commercial leavers between Wickes and its suppliers to uncover opportunities to by better

• Review supplier trading agreements and develop Vendor Data Packs that generate recommendations to the category team on how to drive incremental supplier value

• Support the Head of Strategic procurement to identify the suppliers that are most important to the success of Wickes and negotiate long-term contracts that set out prices, quality standards, cost-reduction and delivery performance targets, and commercial terms and conditions

• Ensure robust tracking of in year savings from completed projects with accurate forecasts from future projects, identifying and resolving potential issues quickly and effectively

• Once commercial agreements are negotiated with suppliers; preparing Heads of Terms and final Supply Agreement documents

What we are looking for in you?

The Category Manager must be capable and comfortable with front line supplier negotiations. Quickly calculating net cost benefits within complex cross TP group contracts with the information available at the time, as well as presenting a more detailed analysis when finalising the financial benefit and signing off projects at senior stakeholder meetings.

As projects will often be at varying stages of implementation, the role is best suited to someone who is able to manage their time effectively, challenge established thinking and quickly turn their attention to unplanned activities whilst continuing to drive the project(s) forward in the medium term.

A level of detailed thinking is required to ensure that all the commercial benefits of a commercial agreement are protected through Heads of Terms and final Supply Agreements

We also looking for the following:

• Experience within a Sourcing, Supply Chain or Commercial Department

• Strong analytical skills and confident communication skills

• Ability to identify, prioritise and implement opportunities to remove cost from the full value chain

• Multiple stakeholder management experience

• Knowledge of end to end supply chain operations and product change implementation

What can we offer you?

Wickes provides own-brand home improvement products and is committed to strengthening its position as the destination DIY and Home Improvement store for DIYers and Tradespeople. No wonder they have been voted “Britain’s Favourite DIY Store” and continue to grow their Business.

Wickes are part of the Travis Perkins Group, the UK’s largest supplier of building materials with over 20 different brands and over 28,000 employees we are able to offer long and varied career opportunities. We are committed to investing in your development and enabling you to fulfil your future career aspirations