Description

Working closely with the Commercial/Category Director and Senior Category Manager, you will lead the business plan for the bricks and cement categories, shaping strategy, driving sales and margin, and ensuring branches have the necessary products. You will act as the go‑to expert on bricks, influencing supplier agreements, pricing, promotions and product range development, while supporting branches, customers and suppliers.

• Lead the 2–3-year category strategy, ensuring ranges deliver customer project requirements and meet sales and profit targets.
• Act as the first point of contact for all internal and external stakeholders on your categories.
• Negotiate and deliver supplier trading agreements aligned to group goals.
• Deliver clear reporting and insight on category performance, identifying opportunities to improve pricing, promotions, sales, and ranging.
• Understand and support STARK’s sustainability agenda, including responsible sourcing and category impact on emissions, packaging, and product circularity.
• Partner with STARK UK functions and local branches—helping them make great commercial decisions.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams, adapting your approach to maximise collaboration and results.
• Support broader commercial projects and continuous improvement activities across the business.

Requirements

• Strong experience in category management or procurement within merchanting, construction products, or a related industry.
• A proven track record of building ranges that meet customer project needs and deliver budgeted commercial results.
• Confidence negotiating supplier terms based on facts, insight, and strong commercial judgement.
• A deep understanding of customer needs, market trends and competitor activity.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable plans.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, able to engage stakeholders at every level—including presenting to board and supplier leadership.
• Good IT literacy across Microsoft applications and database systems.
• Willingness to support, coach and develop junior team members.

Benefits

STARK, one of Northern Europe’s leading building materials distributors, is expanding its commercial team and seeking Category Managers for the cement and bricks categories. The role offers a supportive environment where expertise is valued, along with a competitive salary, staff discount, life assurance and 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays). Clear career progression opportunities are provided within a progressive, branch‑focused organisation.

Employees enjoy a discretionary bonus, a wide range of voluntary benefits such as holiday buying, discounted gym memberships, car salary sacrifice, Cycle‑to‑Work, and Benenden Healthcare. Additional perks include generous employee discounts, health and wellbeing services, retirement savings plans, enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave and life assurance.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance