Head of Category (Lightside)

Dundalk, Co Louth
Permanent
Full-time

6 days ago

Head of Category (Retail):Chadwicks Group & MacNaughton Blair - Island of Ireland RoleLocation: DundalkContract Type: Full-Time, PermanentHours: 39 Hours per WeekAbout Us Chadwicks Group is Ireland's leading builders' merchant, with well-known brands including Chadwicks, Cork Builders Providers, Davies, Telfords, Heitons Steel, The Panelling Centre, Morgans Timber, Proline, HSS Hire & Sitetech in the Republic of Ireland, and MacBlair in Northern Ireland.We're proud to be ranked #9 in the Great Place to Work Index in Ireland and to feature on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work for in Europe.The Role:This is an all-Ireland role, responsible for category management and purchasing across Chadwicks Group and MacBlair. You'll play a key part in shaping our offer for customers North and South, ensuring we're always ahead of the curve.Key Responsibilities:

Drive Growth: Continue to grow our established hardware and showroom categories, while developing new categories such as Garden, Lifestyle, and Electrical.
Central Distribution: Be a key stakeholder in the evolution and expansion of our central distribution, ensuring our products reach every corner of the island efficiently.
Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external customers across multiple business units, in both the Republic and Northern Ireland.
Promotional Strategy: Evolve our promotional strategy to showcase our extensive range and value, driving footfall to our branches and increasing customer engagement.
Digital Leadership: Play a central role in the ongoing development of our online trade platform, Chadwicks.ie, ensuring our digital presence matches our in-branch experience.
Team Development: Foster a culture of continuous learning and development within your team, supporting our commitment to being a Great Place to Work for everyone.
Business Travel: Regular travel to branches and offices across Ireland and Northern Ireland is part and parcel of this role.

Preferred Knowledge & Experience:

10+ years' experience in buying, category management, and driving profitability.
A degree in business, supply chain management, or a related field.
Experience leading teams and delivering results in a fast-paced retail or distribution environment.
Strong negotiation skills with a proven record of securing favourable supplier terms.
Excellent relationship-building skills with both customers and suppliers.
Comfortable with procurement regulations, legal requirements, and ethical standards.
Analytical thinker with a knack for creative problem-solving.
Passion for sustainability and continuous improvement.

Essential Competencies:

Strategic and commercial acumen, with a practical, can-do approach.
Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse team.
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Flexibility and a willingness to learn.
Resilience, drive, and a positive attitude.

Key Performance Measures:

Revenue growth and category expansion.
Cost savings through strategic sourcing and negotiation.
Supplier performance and reliability.
Compliance with procurement policies and ethical standards.
Efficiency of procurement processes.
Stakeholder satisfaction across all business units.
Team development and retention.
Achievement of procurement-related KPIs.

Team & Budget:

Team size: 2-5 direct reports.
Commercial responsibility: €250m+.

What We Offer:

Company Car/Car Allowance
Competitive Salary & Performance Bonus
Private Health Care
Paid Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive & Fertility Leave
Pension & Colleague Saving Schemes
Profit Share
Colleague Discount
Educational Assistance & Wellness Initiatives
Hybrid working (Monday to Friday, 39 hours per week. Typically 3 days on-site and 2 days remote)
Flexible start/finish time

Don't tick every box‿?We know that people from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups, may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't tick every box, we'd still love to hear from you. At Chadwicks Group, we're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.Apply With ConfidenceNot sure you meet every requirement? Research shows that some individuals may self-select out of opportunities they are qualified for. At Chadwicks Group, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply - you could be just the right fit for this or another opportunity with us.Please Note:This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the role. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time to meet business needs. Chadwicks Group reserves the right to modify this profile at any time.

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