Company Overview: A specialist outdoor lifestyle wholesaler with roots firmly established in its core market, it is no surprise that this business is booming. With a deep family heritage, this brand has carved an enviable reputation for range, quality and a loyal following. A newly created opportunity has arisen for a Category Manager to support the continued growth and to maximise its unique industry exposure. Snapshot of Responsibilities: You will manage the full product lifecycle, including product selection, introduction, and discontinuation. Whilst monitoring in detail category performance and adjusting based on market trends, competitor analysis and sales data. You will establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers and negotiate terms and conditions, including pricing, lead times and exclusivity agreements. Coupled with developing joint business plans with key brands, setting sales targets, marketing initiatives, and promotional activities across sponsorship activation, trade shows, and conferences. Work closely with the sales team to develop go-to-market strategies and promotional activities and collaborate with the marketing team to create effective merchandise strategies and marketing collateral for the hardware-selected category. And develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts and inventory plans to optimize stock levels. As well as monitor and analyse category profitability and take necessary actions to improve margins. What it Takes: A significant foundation of category management experience and supplier relations from either Retail/Wholesale or B2C settings where relationship-building and driving execution have been essential to your success Strong analytical skills with the ability to forecast sales and manage inventory and proven negotiation skills and experience in supplier management within the hardgoods sector, ideally the outdoor lifestyle sector. Excellent communication and collaboration skills when you work with cross-functional teams and a high attention to detail and commitment to excellence. An understanding of product categories, channels, customers, suppliers and the competitive environment of your market segment and how best to target the customer audience. You always act as the brand custodian, taking responsibility for all brand related issues. With a customer-centric approach to your work where you will go the extra mile And of course, you will have well-established negotiation and interpersonal communication skills, coupled with exceptionally strong written and presentation skills. This is a newly created growth opportunity, where your hardgoods experience and passion for the outdoors can be realised. We will move quickly on this opportunity; please apply or don’t hesitate to call Lisa Canning, Director at Talent Effect on 0402 507 866. Residency Note: To be eligible to apply for this role, you must be an Australian or NZ citizen or have an appropriate visa to live and work in Australia and currently be residing here. Further information can be obtained from the Australian Department of Immigration.