Category Manager

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com 

© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

Category Manager – 12 month fixed term contract
Altrincham 
£competitive salary plus benefits

We encourage you to apply if you have relevant experience and expertise for this role, even if you don’t meet all the criteria listed in the job description.

At AkzoNobel, we’ve been pioneering a world of possibilities to bring surfaces to life for well over 200 years. As experts in making coatings, there’s a good chance you’re never more than a few meters away from one of our products. Our world-class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens, and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and committed to becoming the global industry leader in sustainable paints and coatings.

Job Purpose
PLEASE NOTE - This is a 12 month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. As a Category Manager, you will play a key role in driving category performance for our application and preparation product areas. You’ll manage supplier relationships, develop compelling category strategies, and deliver engaging activities that strengthen our market position and support the company’s “Painting a Brighter Future” strategy.

Key Responsibilities
•    Manage the application and preparation categories, ensuring commercial performance and customer relevance
•    Lead third-party supplier relationships, negotiating trading terms, promotional support, and cost price changes to maximise return
•    Develop and optimise product ranges, ensuring the right products at the right price to meet customer needs
•    Define and deliver promotional strategies and key campaigns to drive incremental sales growth
•    Collaborate with the wider commercial team to plan and execute cross-category promotional events both in-store and online
•    Lead and support range reviews, New Line Days, and key category development projects
•    Analyse category performance data to identify opportunities and make informed, strategic decisions
•    Manage workload effectively, ensuring category plans are delivered on time and within budget

Job Requirements
•    Experienced category professional with a track record of delivering results in a retail or FMCG environment
•    Skilled and confident negotiator with supplier management experience
•    Strong strategic and analytical capability – able to interpret data and translate insights into action
•    Excellent communication and influencing skills across multiple levels
•    Effective project management and prioritisation skills
•    Proficient in MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint
•    Customer-focused and commercially driven

What Sets You Apart
•    Proactive, collaborative, and results-oriented
•    Passionate about delivering value for both the customer and the business
•    Able to think strategically while executing with precision
•    Committed to continuous improvement and innovation within your category

What We Offer at AkzoNobel
•    Competitive salary (depending on experience)
•    25 days holiday plus bank holidays
•    Income protection and life assurance
•    Staff discount at Dulux Decorator Centres
•    Company pension scheme
•    Employee Assistance Programme
•    Product discounts
•    Flexible benefits including Gymflex, dental cover, retail cards, and more

We support a healthy work-life balance and promote mental wellbeing. Flexible working options may be considered for this role.

Join a company that’s been inventing the future for over two centuries—apply now and help shape what’s next.

#LI-LB1

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: 48492