Category Manager

Category Manager, Kilkenny

Are you a commercially minded Category Manager with a passion for product strategy, market insights, and driving category performance? Do you enjoy analysing product data, identifying growth opportunities, and working cross-functionally to deliver innovative products that meet real customer needs?

Our client, a leading manufacturer and supplier within the bathroom and home improvement sector, is seeking an experienced Category Manager to join their growing commercial team. Known for delivering high-quality, design-led products, the organisation continues to expand its presence across the UK, Ireland, and international markets.

As Category Manager, you will play a key role in shaping product strategy, supporting new product development, and driving category performance through data-driven insights. Working closely with commercial, product, and sales teams, you will help ensure the product portfolio remains competitive, innovative, and aligned with market demand.

Core duties of the Category Manager will include:

• Developing deep product expertise across the full product portfolio, including design features, pricing structures, and routes to market
• Analysing category performance through sales, revenue, and margin data to identify opportunities for optimisation and growth
• Supporting new product introduction (NPI) projects from concept through to launch, including business case development and market positioning
• Supporting the development and ongoing management of category strategies, including product lifecycle planning and range optimisation
• Conducting pricing, breakeven, and margin analysis to support strategic pricing decisions and maximise commercial performance
• Monitoring competitor activity and market trends to identify product opportunities and maintain a competitive market position
• Gathering customer insights through trade engagement, industry networking, and customer visits to inform product and category decisions
• Communicating technical and commercial information clearly to internal stakeholders and senior leadership teams
• Supporting trade shows, industry events, and customer presentations to promote the product portfolio
• Collaborating across product, marketing, commercial, and sales teams to support key strategic initiatives

Skills and experience you will need for the Category Manager role:

• Proven experience in category management or product management within a commercial environment
• Required: Experience within the bathroom, building products, or consumer durables sectors
• Degree (or equivalent) in business, management, or a related discipline
• Strong track record of managing product categories and delivering measurable commercial improvements
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in pricing strategy, margin management, and commercial analysis
• High level of numerical competency and ability to interpret complex data sets
• Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, with the ability to communicate product strategies effectively

What’s on offer:

• Competitive salary: €55 - €65K DOE + Bonus
• Hybrid working model: 3 days in the Kilkenny office
• Pension
• Healthcare
• Opportunity to work with a well-established and growing international brand
• Career development opportunities within a growing organisation

*Please note that this role:

• Requires regular presence in the Kilkenny office and a full driving licence and car
• Involves frequent travel (1 – 2 times a month to the UK / abroad)

What’s next?

Please apply now by sending your CV to fjoyce@alternatives.ie and I will reply to your application in due course.

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