Category Manager

Rontec is a leading independent Forecourt Retail with over 200 forecourts in England and Wales. We  continue to be the best in the market place by our own unique combination of company branded concepts including Shop N' Drive and through our partnerships with well known companies including Spar, Subway, and Costa Coffee to name a few.

We have a great opportunity for an experience Category Manager to join our Shops Department working with a small team of Category Managers. The team are in the process of changing our customers perceptions from that of a petrol forecourt to a designation venue by creating product ranges that rival any convenience store retailer.

The role is responsible for all aspects of the Rontec shop offer for a range of products (category’s) including: range selection, promotions, pricing, marketing and new product development. The role holder will need to manage the goods supply chain for their assigned category’s. Negotiations with suppliers to achieve the maximum over-riders for the company and to negotiate promotional rebates, listings and marketing fees.

It is essential for all those who work in the shops department to complete regular store visits to all of our sites in the UK to ensure category initiatives are implemented according to the Shops distributed instructions across the network and liaise with the Operations Management to rectify any issues that are discovered.

Key Activities

• Responsible for the profitability and growth of product ranges.
• To produce planograms in conjunction with space planners and suppliers.
• To recommend, produce and manage shop promotions (along with the relevant point of sale). Income from these promotions and analysis will be vital.
• Set pricing levels/bands for all their products.
• Initiate and develop new products/ideas.
• Responsible for providing database with all necessary information to keep the back office systems completely accurate.
• Category performance tracking through full analysis of their product areas and benching marking with competitors.
• Build a thorough knowledge of their product areas through supplier interface and research.
• Create and develop marketing initiatives for their products.
• Supply chain management ensuring availability levels are maintained
• Be fully up to date with latest developments and initiatives in the category with competitors and related industries.
• Implement and maintain appropriate data files, monthly competitor price file and shops visits and ensure that this information is readily available for use by the Category Management team and Operations teams.
• To be successful in the role, you will have the following:

   

• A good understanding of the retail forecourt and convenience store market.
• Ability to think strategically, show initiative and creativity in their approach.
• Strong communication and motivational skills.
• A high level numeracy and Excel analytical skills.
• Commercially aware and driven by targets and objectives.
• If you think you have what it takes to succeed in this role, we are waiting to hear from you.