Category Assistant

In this role you will you will be a key support member of the commercial category team, working alongside other central support functions, branches and sales teams in maximising opportunities for growing sales and improving commercial returns.
** What You’ll Be Doing
** Supporting the Category Manager through day-to-day admin, systems, reporting, relationship management and commercial requirements to deliver the best possible proposition to our internal customers, namely branch and sales colleagues, and act as a secondary contact for suppliers under the guidance of the category manager.
* Support the Category Managers within the assigned categories.
* Develop a good understanding of the competitor landscape and provide detailed competitor intelligence to the Category Managers within their categories.
* Support Category Managers in their categories in the provision of market and product knowledge, and business performance reporting to influence Category performance.
* Act as the first line of contact for internal customers, namely Branch and Sales colleagues, in the provision of pricing and commercial trading support – primarily within their own categories.
* Act as the secondary / support contact for internal customers, namely branch and Sales colleagues for other categories.
* Work to ensure all relevant processes and system requirements are adhered to.
* Establish and maintain successful relationships.
* Own and develop the category plans for smaller sub-categories as assigned by Line Manager.
** What We’re Looking For
*** Essential
* * Experience in a relevant business environment
* Good communication, influencing, presentation, and people skills
* Demonstrable commercial awareness and good business acumen
* Ability to work on own or as part of a team and build personable relationships
* Able to manage workload and work to tight deadlines
* Ownership of internal customer queries and enquiries to point of resolution
* Understanding of the urgency of internal customer requirements
* Able to work under pressure and manage multiple simultaneous priorities
* Good numerical and analytical skills with ability to assimilate information. Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills.
* Resilient and able to constructively challenge and influence
* Appetite to progress career in a fast moving, dynamic, rewarding, and exciting business during a period of growth and change
* IT literate in appropriate Microsoft and database systems
* Qualifications must include good level of Maths and English
* Desirable
* * Experience with products relevant to Minster products highly desirable
* Some experience in a buying or category role – not essential but desirable
* Driving licence (travel and overnight stays are required)
* Competitive Base salary
* Discretionary bonus
* Retirement savings plan
* Life assurance
* Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave for anyone expecting or adopting a child
* A wide range of voluntary benefits including holiday buying, discounted gym membership, car salary sacrifice scheme, Cycle2

Work, Benenden Healthcare and more.
* Access to a wealth of health and wellbeing services including access to online GP appointments and mental health support
* Work Perks – A platform home to hundreds of all your favourite high street and online discounts via the provider Reward Gateway
** Quality** - We’re unwavering in our commitment to providing outstanding products and service that exceed our customers’ expectations.
** Supportive Environment** - Join a culture that prioritises your growth, with the resources and support you need to excel. We listen and learn – we know we haven’t always got all the answers – listening and learning with you is what helps provide the best service to our customers.
** Professional Development
**** Great Benefits** - Enjoy a compelling package that includes a competitive salary, bonuses, pension schemes, and life assurance, among many other perks!
** Work-Life Balance** - We value your well-being and offer flexible working hours and a hybrid working model to help you find your ideal rhythm
** What's Next
** If your application is successful, our Talent team will reach out to arrange an interview and answer…