Category Manager/Buyer

Category Manager/Buyer Chadwicks Group - Island of Ireland Role About 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. We're proud to be listed as one of Ireland's Best Workplaces in the Great Places to Work Index & to be featured as a Best Workplace for Women.

Macnaughton Blair is the market leader in Northern Ireland, with a strong foundation in the traditional Builders Merchants division. Our trusted brands MacBlair, Watershed, Doorways, and Wood Floor Warehouse are synonymous with quality and reliability.

The Role

As Category Manager, you'll play a key role in managing and developing product categories across Chadwicks Group and MacNaughton Blair. Reporting to the Head of Category, you'll help drive growth, support our central distribution strategy, and ensure we're always offering the best range, value, and service to our customers. The role will also require regular travel across the island of Ireland to Chadwicks locations, as well as engagement with suppliers to support category development and strengthen key partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Growth: Support the ongoing development and growth of existing categories, while helping to build new ones such as Tools, Power-Tools & associated ranges.
• Supplier Management: Build and nurture strong supplier relationships, ensuring we get the best terms and the highest quality products for our customers.
• Stock & Inventory: Monitor and manage stock levels across multiple locations, optimizing inventory to meet demand and minimize aged stock.
• Promotional Activity: Work with the team to deliver engaging promotional campaigns that showcase our range, drive footfall, and support our online and in-branch sales.
• Central Distribution: Be a key contributor to the evolution and extension of our central distribution model, ensuring efficient supply to all branches.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with colleagues across sales, operations, logistics, and marketing, as well as with our suppliers and customers in both ROI and NI.
• Digital Support: Support the development of our online trade platform, Chadwicks.ie, ensuring our digital offer is as strong as our in-branch experience.
• Market Insight: Keep up to date with market trends, competitor activity, and new product developments, bringing fresh ideas to the team.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, and enhance customer experience.
• Teamwork: Contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture, supporting your colleagues and maintaining a strong workplace culture.
• Business Travel: Some travel to branches and suppliers across the Island of Ireland is part of the role.

Preferred Knowledge & Experience

• 3+ years' experience in buying, procurement, or category management, ideally in building materials, retail, or a related sector.
• Familiarity with construction materials, industry regulations, and market trends is an advantage.
• Superb negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with category management software and Microsoft Office (especially Excel).
• Analytical mindset with great attention to detail.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, multi-site organisation.

Essential Competencies

• Commercial awareness and a practical, solutions-focused approach.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team and build relationships across the business.
• Flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to learn.
• Motivation to achieve targets and deliver results.

Key Performance Measures

• Revenue and margin growth in your categories.
• Stock availability, aged stock, and inventory management.
• Supplier performance and cost savings.
• Success of promotional activity and new product launches.
• Stakeholder satisfaction and feedback.
• Contribution to team culture and continuous improvement.

Team & Budget

• Part of the wider category team.
• No direct reports.
• Purchasing responsibility: £50-100m.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary
• Performance Bonus
• Health Insurance
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Life Assurance
• Colleague Discount
• Educational Assistance & Wellness Initiatives
• Hybrid working