Description

Supported by the Commercial/Category Director and Senior Category Manager, you will create and lead the business plan for assigned categories, driving strategic and tactical growth to meet budgeted sales and profit targets. STARK, one of Northern Europe’s leading building materials distributors, is expanding its commercial team and seeks Category Managers who can support branches, deliver the right product ranges, and build strong supplier partnerships.

In this role you will be the go‑to expert for the plumbing and heating categories, shaping strategy, influencing supplier agreements, pricing, promotions and product range development, and ensuring branches have the products they need to serve customers effectively.

• Determination, ownership, and accountability, focused on delivering improvements for 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.
• 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.
• Deep understanding of customer needs, market trends and competitor activity.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to turn data into clear, actionable plans.
• 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 offers a supportive environment where your expertise is valued, together with a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, staff discount, life assurance and 34 days’ holiday (including bank holidays). Clear pathways for career progression are provided within a progressive, branch‑focused organisation.

You will also benefit from a wide range of voluntary perks such as holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare, extensive health‑and‑wellbeing services, generous employee discounts, a retirement savings plan, and enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the in‑house recruitment team to arrange an interview, and the company is open to part‑time, job‑share and reasonable adjustments for candidates who need additional support. STARK is a Ban the Box employer and considers applicants with criminal convictions on a case‑by‑case basis.

• Discretionary bonus.
• Wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2Work, Benenden Healthcare and more.
• Access to a wealth of health and wellbeing services, including online GP appointments and mental health support.
• Generous employee discounts.
• Access to discounts with hundreds of high‑street and online retailers.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Life assurance.
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance