Job profiles

Category Manager

What is in the category manager job description?

As a category manager, you'll be responsible for managing complex categories, supporting the development of the procurement strategy and driving the category strategy through the procurement team.

What will be your responsibilities?

A category manager's responsibilities broadly consist of the following things:

Development of the commercial model to drive growth in savings.
Development of category strategies which maximise customer value for money and a continuous improvement structure.
Implement and promote transformation programme with strong communication plan to achieve a structured and resilient supply chain.
Develop and implement cost-based reduction strategies capable of delivering annual target savings.
Collaborate with the wider team to identify products with low demand and make recommendations.
Conduct research and analyse trends and customer purchasing habits.
Review sales data and competitor products.
Develop strategies and set goals for the products, including marketing plans, managing budgets and promotional events and repositioning the products.
Build effective supplier relationships and maintain communication.
Manage the inventory to ensure there are enough products to meet customer demands.
Consider lead times and monitor inventory levels.
Create pricing plans for products and liase with supplier to reduce spend and to remain competitive.
Present reports to the management team highlighting any trends or issues.

The CIPS Digital Academy

The CIPS Digital Academy provides access to learning programmes in procurement and supply. It enables your organisation to develop consistency in knowledge and skills and helps to reduce supply chain risk throughout your organisation.

Find out more

What qualifications do you need?

If you’re looking to move into a category manager role, you’ll need the following qualifications and skills:

Procurement/purchasing experience to a similar level.
Product development knowledge.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Very good negotiation skills and very confident in dealing with suppliers and customers.

CIPS Qualifications

To start your journey to become a category manager, the ideal starting point is the Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply. Once complete, move on to Level 5 and Level 6 qualifications that will take you all the way to MCIPS.

Find out more about our qualifications

What does a Category Manager get paid?

In the UK, typically a Category Manager salary averages at around £51,649 based on the UK Salary Guide 2023.

A Category Manager sits in the Managerial level and the breakdown is as follows:

Managerial

UK: £51,649
Australia: $149,380
New Zealand: $125,729
MENA: $66,590
South Africa: ZAR 793k
Sub-Saharan Africa: $39,289
North America: $99,998
Europe: €67,157

Salaries may increase if you are studying with CIPS or change sector. To find out more about the salaries of procurement and supply professionals let our salary calculator do the hard work for you.

Visit the Salary Calculator