Are you looking to join an exciting business that is passionate to support independent retailers in the UK? Would you like to be part of a supportive and friendly team who are motivated to provide the best service to our stores and suppliers? Are you looking for a hybrid role with the flexibility to work onsite and from home? If so then we would love to hear from you Here at AIS, we have an exciting opportunity available for a Senior Category Manager to join our Home & Furniture team based in Solihull. You will join us on a full-time, fixed term contract (maternity cover), and in return, you will receive a competitive salary depending on experience. The AIS buying group is the UK and Irelands leading buying group for independent retail with a membership of 300 independent department stores and specialist retailers. The business is now entering an exciting time of change and a transformational agenda to bring a more commercial and customer-focused approach to this well-established and successful membership organisation. As our Senior Category Manager you will Develop and deliver the Home division business strategy. Build Supplier and Member relationships to harness the AIS group buying power to achieve excellent working relationships to drive engagement and growth for AIS, Suppliers and Members. Key responsibilities as our Senior Category Manager: Day to day management of all activities relating to Homewares Creation and co-ordination of sales initiatives to maximise company Cenpac throughput, incremental turnover and drive member sales and profit Identify trends, new brands and market opportunities and formulate future department strategy and proactively feed into the wider business strategy. Make informed decisions, using trend information, market data, member feedback, trade shows, sales data, competitor landscape. Share insights within the internal AIS teams and members. Contribution to the management of the P & L’s, have a general awareness of its principles and make decisions to maximise revenue and minimise costs. Professionally manage supplier relationships, ensuring a mix of good, better, best suppliers are available for members, create joint business plans with strategic partners. Manage new supplier onboarding process avoiding duplication and dilution. Negotiate favourable terms including rebates and follow the defined onboarding process. Provide a high standard of customer service by effectively managing member relationships, making regular Member calls or visits to build relationships, ensuring clear objectives and follow-up are in place. Deliver newness and continuous improvement to the INDX show experience, drive member and visitor engagement to ensure maximum attendance. Develop commercial Own Brand and branded exclusive ranges, effectively communicate the product proposition positively to the members to drive awareness and turnover. What we’re looking for in our Senior Category Manager: Commercially minded with extensive experience and knowledge of the Homewares industry and proven track record of delivering results. Experience and understanding of the independent retail sector. Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills including building positive working relationships, negotiation influencing, and presentation skills. A strong team player with the ability to manage people effectively and work cross functionally Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills Proven track record of leadership skills of managing and developing others. A passion for product Innovative creative thinker Energetic and can-do attitude Digital savvy and IT literate Effective communicator Collaborative behaviours Problem solving and challenge the norm Flexible and reliable team player Why join AIS? We strive to be the most member-focused, innovative, and agile buying and services group in the UK and Ireland. As members of Diversity in Retail we are committed to driving a strong culture of Diversity and Inclusion in our own business and across our membership of independent retailers. We believe in creating a collaborative culture and bringing together a broad range of viewpoints, beliefs, and attitudes. Rewards, Benefits & Wellbeing: 25 days holiday bank holidays (in a full leave year) (Pro rata for part time employees) Opportunity to buy additional annual leave (up to 5 days per leave year) Birthday leave - No one should work on their birthday so have the day off on us Company pension scheme Employee Wellbeing Scheme & Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Cycle to work scheme Charity / Volunteering Leave Free employee parking Onsite catering service (subsidised rate for employees) Access to discounts and staff sales Employee engagement calendar and activities throughout the year If you feel you have the skills and experience needed to become the Senior Category Manager at AIS, then please click ‘apply’ today We’d love to hear from you.