Category Manager - Siderise Special Products

Purpose of this position 

• Reporting to the Commercial Director, the primary purpose of this role is to organise, develop and drive the Siderise Special Products category product offering.  

• This role is responsible for liaising with existing and new suppliers, creating purchasing agreements, managing new product development, listing new products on the company ERP, organising all materials into categories & families and monthly reporting on product volumes.    

• This position is a critical function, assisting with & setting company strategy via new innovative product development. While also reviewing the existing bespoke manufacturing methods to help increase quality, decrease cost and improve new sustainable working & delivery methods. 

• Working independently, use CRM to record and provide regular communication with SSPL (Siderise Special Products Ltd) colleagues. 

• To work with the Commercial Director & Marketing team on developing a marketing and product strategy for the division. 

Key responsibilities  

• Create and manage the product portfolio strategy   

• Devise long-term development strategies for product categories. 

• Support the sales & technical teams with account management of suppliers, undertaking regular reviews of pricing and lean delivery methods. 

• To provide an insight on current market trends, supplier & customer analysis, and competitor positioning. Understand the drivers for each persona, informing a strategic view. 

• Provide extensive information relating to technical product performance and benchmarking, including pricing positioning. 

• Follow a “cradle-to-cradle” NPD management process including a reporting deck and pipeline. 

• Create value propositions in readiness for promoting to the marketplace and support communications campaigns. 

• Carry out portfolio management activity to ensure best fit of the product range to market needs and competitive environment, and efficient use of manufacturing capacity. 

• Determine customers' needs by specifying research, obtaining market information and carrying out regular personal visits to a variety of our target customers. 

• Bring new products to market in a swift & timely fashion 

• Knowledge of external wall construction in low and high-rise buildings. 

•  Understanding of passive fire protection systems. (Desirable) 

•  Previous experience dealing with contractors on-site. 

•  Background in engineering, façade management, or installation is advantageous. 

•  Industry experience.

• Liaise with marketing teams to determine competitive pricing and promotional activities of a product category 

• Work closely with internal stakeholders to bring the products to market or reengineer existing products. 

• Utilise and implement mission packs to sales, business development and technical teams. 

• Monitor post launch product performance. 

• Complete ownership & project management of all product related tasks 

Qualifications

• Essential - Driving License  

• Essential – Experience of product management & purchasing  

• Essential – Good knowledge insulation products 

• Essential – Experience of technical specifications & sustainability criteria 

• Desirable - Educated to degree level or a related role specific qualification 

• Desirable – Understanding of branding, packaging and logistics  

• Desirable – Experience of trademarking   

Job Function Technical Knowledge and Skills  

• Excellent knowledge of company products and materials 

• Proficient in Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and other Office 365 products 

• Proficient in Salesforce, EFACS or other CRM system 

• Excellent written verbal communication 

Personal Attributes  

• Can show resilience in the face of tough workload peaks and mounting pressure. 

• Can apply creativity in problem-solving, using insight, evidence and intelligence when making decisions. 

• Takes a methodical and pragmatic approach to gathering opinions supported by data. 

• Is detail-oriented, and able to always recognise the need to have a strong attention to detail when dealing with tasks of all levels of importance. 

• Pro-active and results-orientated, focused on meeting schedules, deadlines and performance goals. 

• Can be versatile and organised, taking pleasure in having a varied workload that needs to be coordinated appropriately. 

• Is personable, positive, and enthusiastic, representing Siderise in a positive light at all times. 

• Takes a leading promoting role sharing the vision and company direction at all times. 

• Open and honest, excellent communicator and team player.