Category Manager – Belowground & Utilities

Overview

As Category Manager for Belowground & Utilities, you own a key product portfolio and drive its end-to-end performance across markets. You will shape strategy, uncover market opportunities, and lead lifecycle management from concept to end-of-life. You’ll work closely with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain and Technical teams to deliver sustainable revenue growth and competitive differentiation. This role blends strategic thinking with commercial delivery in a complex organisation. You’ll have a clear impact on roadmap-driven growth and product development with a strong cross-functional focus.

Pay / Benefits

• Company car or allowance
• Competitive bonus
• Contributory pension scheme – matched up to 8%
• Life assurance
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Cycle to work scheme

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver category strategy and roadmaps aligned with business objectives
• Analyse market insights, customer needs, trends and competition to inform portfolio decisions
• Manage product lifecycle from concept to end-of-life and optimise profitability
• Own revenue, margin and pricing strategies and partner with Sales/Marketing to drive growth
• Lead innovation and new product development, manage stage-gate processes and launches
• Develop value propositions and collaborate with Marketing to run effective campaigns
• Act as category expert ensuring regulatory compliance and accurate product information
• Foster cross-functional relationships to align priorities and deliver category objectives

Key requirements

• Experience managing technical product portfolios in manufacturing, construction, building products or industrial environments
• Proven track record in category or product strategy development
• Strong commercial acumen including pricing, margin and revenue growth
• Knowledge of product lifecycle management and new product development
• Ability to translate market insight into commercial action
• Excellent stakeholder management, influence, and cross-functional collaboration
• Strategic mindset with hands-on, delivery-focused approach
• Strong communication, analytical and presentation skills

• stakeholder management
• influencing across diverse teams
• analytical thinking
• category strategy
• portfolio management
• pricing strategy

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