Category Manager

Category Manager Location: Leeds Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 + benefits

Elevation Recruitment Group are delighted to be working with a well-established and growing wholesaler based in Leeds, as they look to appoint a Category Manager with a strong background in sourcing products from the Far East.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially minded Category Manager to take ownership of a key product category, driving strategy, supplier relationships, and margin performance within a fast-paced wholesale environment. The Role As Category Manager, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of your category, with a particular focus on international sourcing across the Far East. Key responsibilities include:

Developing and delivering category strategies aligned with overall business objectives

Managing and growing supplier relationships across the Far East, including negotiation of cost, lead times, and terms

Identifying new sourcing opportunities, products, and innovations to drive competitive advantage

Owning pricing, margin, and promotional strategies to maximise profitability

Working cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Quality, Sales, and Marketing teams

Monitoring market trends, competitor activity, and customer needs to inform decision-making

Ensuring compliance with quality, ethical, and regulatory standards when sourcing internationally

About You To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

Proven experience as a Category Manager, Buyer, or Senior Buyer within wholesale, distribution, or a similar environment

Demonstrable experience sourcing products from the Far East

Strong commercial and negotiation skills, with a track record of improving margin and supplier performance

Confidence managing complex international supplier relationships

Excellent analytical skills and the ability to turn data into actionable insight

A proactive, resilient, and results-driven approach

What’s on Offer

Competitive salary of £50,000 – £60,000

The opportunity to play a key role in a growing and ambitious business

Autonomy to shape and develop your category

Supportive leadership and a collaborative working culture