Category Manager Tools and Consumables

Company Description

We’re looking for a commercially minded Category Manager with proven experience owning a category P&L and delivering profitable growth.

If you thrive on driving sales, margin, rebates, pricing and supplier performance—and you know how to turn customer insight into a winning trading plan—this is your next move!

What you’ll do (your commercial remit)

You’ll take full commercial ownership of our Tools & Consumables category (e.g., hand tools, accessories, abrasives, fixings, adhesives, PPE, site essentials and high-frequency consumables), creating a strategy that is customer-led and profit-driven. Key accountabilities include:

• Build and deliver short- and long-term category plans that translate into clear trading actions and measurable results.

• Own Commercial Gross Margin (CGM) and profitability, including managing and maximising rebate income and supplier funding.

• Shape and execute pricing strategy in partnership with the Pricing Analyst to optimise margin, price position and category profitability.

• Lead competitive benchmarking and deliver promotional plans that drive volume without diluting profit.

• Deliver sales and market share growth, using data to continuously refine range, price, promo and supplier mix.

• Develop own-brand growth and direct sourcing proposals by customer and quartile where it strengthens margin and competitiveness.

• Partner with demand planning / supply chain to ensure strong commercial execution: sales-out, clearance and promotional plans, maintaining +95% availability.

• Build high-impact supplier partnerships and negotiate commercially strong agreements (including all contract paperwork and legalities completed on time and to process).

What we’re looking for

• Demonstrable experience in a commercial Category Manager (or equivalent) role, with end-to-end category management and strong P&L ownership.

• Strong grip on the commercial levers: margin, rebates, pricing, promotions, range optimisation, supplier negotiation.

• Highly analytical and able to make data-driven trading decisions at pace.

• Confident stakeholder manager—able to influence across Commercial, Sales, Finance and Supply Chain in a fast-moving environment.

How you’ll be measured

Forecasting accuracy • Rebates / Sales / CGM • Team NPS • Customer NPS

Key stakeholders you’ll work with

Business Managers, Sales Operations, Finance Business Partner, Supply Chain Business Partner, Head of Sourcing, Pricing Analyst, Local Marketing & Digital Business Partner.

Inclusion

At Rexel, we welcome people from all backgrounds with diverse perspectives and experiences—creating a workplace where everyone feels respected and empowered to succeed.

The Benefits of a Career with Rexel:

• Company Car Scheme

• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) + Birthday Day off after 1 years’ service

• Performance related bonus

• Private Medical Insurance

• Contributory pension scheme and 4 x life assurance

• Extensive Learning and Development opportunities from day one

• Your Wellbeing: Enhanced family leave benefits, Buy and Sell annual leave, 24/7 Free virtual GP service and Mental Health First Aiders available to support you

Job Description

You will have full ownership of your category, developing insightful short- and long-term plans, executing impactful pricing, developing and growing our own brand, identifying direct sourcing opportunities, conducting competitive benchmarking and executing impactful promotional campaigns. Analysing market trends, consumer behaviour and competitor activities in order to identify growth opportunities and market gaps.

Monitor and evaluate category performance, leveraging key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective measures. Lead supplier negotiations, ensuring favourable terms and conditions to drive cost savings and strengthen supplier relationships.

Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, you will ensure optimal product availability and stock health, supported by clear sales plans, build strong supplier partnerships and develop strategies that will champion your category across the business maximising sales and market share.

This is a permanent, hybrid role where you will spend your time collaborating in our offices located just 10 minutes from Birmingham Airport, at our branches and remotely

Qualifications

At Rexel, we prioritise hiring individuals based on behaviours and potential, rather than requiring specific formal qualifications for roles, the behaviours that will set you up for success as a Category Manager include:

Behaviours Set for Success:

• CURIOUS: Seeking new ways to grow and be challenged, using formal and informal learning channels

• CUSTOMER FOCUS: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions

• COLLABORATES: Building partnerships and working with others to meet shared objectives

• TAKES ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes action, removing obstacles to get work done

• FINANCIAL ACUMEN: Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions

• DRIVES RESULTS: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances

Ideally you will already have experience in a category role with end to end knowledge of category management and P&L.

You will have a natural analytical mind and the ability to make data-driven decisions.

As an excellent negotiation and communicator you are able to work in a dynamic and constantly changing environment with an agile approach that you thrive within.

Additional Information

At Rexel UK, we’re all about welcoming people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives because we know that diversity drives fresh ideas and great results.

By coming together as one team, we’re building a high-performance culture that not only drives success but also creates real value for our customers and communities.

Creating an environment where individuality is celebrated and creativity flourishes, we're making sure everyone feels supported and confident to be their best.