📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Category Manager - Catalogue Content
🔹 Company: Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO)
🔹 Location: Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1ES
🔹 Job Type: Permanent - Full Time
🔹 Category: Retail Office Equipment
🔹 Date Posted: 9th April 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team to develop and deliver market-appropriate products for customers
- Ensuring compliance in procurement and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers
- Managing a team of Product Managers and support staff
- Building strong relationships with key stakeholders and catalogue suppliers
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, team management, and stakeholder engagement skills. It's ideal for someone with experience in product management and a strong understanding of the retail or office equipment industry.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead a team of Product Managers and support staff to develop and deliver a range of market-appropriate products to service the needs of existing and future customers
✅ Ensure products are procured compliantly, supplied, and available at all times, meeting all required standards and customer expectations
✅ Build strong relationships with key stakeholders and catalogue suppliers, ensuring all SLA’s/KPIs are adhered to
✅ Manage a team of professional resources, ensuring effective staff utilisation to meet deadlines and achieve targets and goals
✅ Influence and build relationships with key customer groups and stakeholders to ensure appropriate input into product range development
✅ Analyze and interpret product and market management information to determine and maximise its use to test commercial advantage
✅ Communicate effectively with customers, stakeholders, suppliers, internal teams, and manage time effectively to meet deadlines
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, team management, and day-to-day operational tasks. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Degree or equivalent qualification or demonstrable experience in this field
Experience: Experience of product management in a medium-sized organisation, preferably related to catalogue product merchandising
Required Skills:
- Experience in Supplier Relationship Management methodology and practice with supplies of all sizes in various market places
- Excellent communications skills
- Competence in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in managing teams
- Experience in influencing and building relationships with key customer groups and stakeholders
- Ability to analyze and interpret product and market management information
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a background in product management, retail, or office equipment, and proven team management experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £42,498 - £46,344 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
Benefits:
- Flexible working opportunities and access to employee benefits portal with car lease scheme
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing to 32 after 5 years’ service), and a scheme to buy additional leave
- Local Government Pension Scheme with a generous employer contribution
- Opportunities for learning development, including CIPS or CIM
- Great office location next to Fosse Park, with free on-site parking and easy access to M1 and M69
Working Hours: 37 hours, Full time
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on industry standards for a Category Manager role in the UK. Benefits are comprehensive and reflect the organisation's commitment to employee well-being and development.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: ESPO operates in the retail office equipment industry, serving the public sector and education establishments. It's a competitive market with a focus on delivering value through best practice in procurement and sourcing.
Company Size: ESPO has 201-500 employees, providing a medium-sized organisation structure with opportunities for growth and development.
Founded: 1981, with over 40 years of experience in public sector procurement, ESPO has established itself as a trusted and reliable organisation.
Company Description:
- ESPO is a customer-focused, public sector-owned professional buying organisation
- It offers a complete procurement service, including a market-leading product catalogue and a wide range of framework agreements
- ESPO serves organisations in education, local authorities, central government bodies, the NHS, and emergency services
Company Specialties:
- Procurement for the public sector
- Frameworks & contracts
- Education supplies
- Furniture
- Office & IT equipment
- Food & catering
- Energy
- Health & social care
- Waste management
- Fleet & vehicles
- Facilities management
- Highway maintenance
- Consultancy services
- Document management
- Sport & leisure
- Environmental services
- Buildings & facilities management
- Library stock & services
- Fitted furniture & equipment
- and People & HR
Company Website: http://www.espo.org
ASSUMPTION: ESPO's extensive range of specialties reflects its commitment to providing a comprehensive procurement service to its customers.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level management stage, offering opportunities for growth and development within the organisation.
Reporting Structure: The Category Manager reports directly to the Head of Catalogue and Supply Chain.
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with flexible working opportunities available.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to senior management or head of department roles within ESPO
- Broadening of skills and experience through involvement in diverse projects and initiatives
- Opportunities for learning and development, including CIPS or CIM qualifications
ASSUMPTION: ESPO's commitment to employee development and growth opportunities makes it an attractive choice for career-minded individuals.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: ESPO's office is located next to Fosse Park, offering a convenient and accessible work environment.
Office Location(s): Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 1ES
Geographic Context:
- Leicester is a vibrant city with a diverse range of amenities and cultural attractions
- The office is conveniently located near major motorways (M1 and M69), making it easily accessible
- The area offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with plenty of green spaces and outdoor activities nearby
Work Schedule: The standard working week is 37 hours, with flexible working opportunities available.
ASSUMPTION: ESPO's office location and work environment are designed to support employee well-being and productivity.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- Face-to-face interview with the hiring manager
- Final interview with the senior leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Product management experience and skills
- Team management and leadership abilities
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Alignment with ESPO's values and commitment to its mission
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your product management and team leadership achievements
- Research ESPO's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the organisation
ATS Keywords: Category Manager, Product Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Team Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Market Analysis, Microsoft Office, Retail Office Equipment
ASSUMPTION: ESPO's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit, ensuring the best possible match for the organisation and the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
ASSUMPTION: ESPO uses a range of tools and technologies to support its operations and enable effective collaboration and communication.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-focused
- Professional
- Collaborative
- Innovative
- Committed to excellence
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How have you demonstrated ESPO's commitment to customer focus in your previous roles?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a team to achieve a significant goal?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: ESPO's values and work style are designed to support its mission and enable its employees to thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a team through change and ensuring consistent performance
- Balancing the need for innovation with the requirement to maintain compliance and consistency in product offerings
- Adapting to a fast-paced and evolving market landscape
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent in the role and require a proactive, strategic, and adaptable approach.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other Category Manager positions in its focus on catalogue content and the specific industry context of public sector procurement
- ESPO's size and structure offer a unique blend of opportunities for growth and development, combined with the stability and resources of a well-established organisation
- Career progression opportunities may include senior management or head of department roles within ESPO, as well as potential transitions to other functions or industries
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of opportunities and challenges, making it an attractive choice for the right candidate.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new product range strategy to meet evolving customer needs and market trends
- Managing a team to deliver a major product launch, including supplier negotiations, marketing campaigns, and event planning
- Conducting market analysis and competitive benchmarking to inform product development and pricing strategies
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the breadth and depth of responsibilities associated with this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most significant challenges facing the Catalogue team in the next 12-24 months, and how this role will address them?
- How does ESPO support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in relation to this role?
- Can you provide an example of a time when ESPO successfully adapted to a significant market change or challenge, and what role did the Catalogue team play in that process?
- How does ESPO measure the success of its Category Manager, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) are used to track progress?
- What opportunities exist for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between the Catalogue team and other departments or functions within ESPO?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, challenges, and opportunities for growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Apply Now link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your product management and team leadership achievements
- Research ESPO's mission, values, and company culture to demonstrate your fit and enthusiasm for the organisation
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Lindsay Watts, within 7 days of submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
