Category Manager

Job Details

Requisition : 21099

Employment Type: Full Time

Job Category: Supply Chain

Work Location: Wednesbury, UK

As a Category Manager with MSC, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our business by bringing our Category strategy to life. You’ll develop strong relationships with industry-leading suppliers and deliver innovative solutions to meet the ever‑changing needs and behaviours of our customers.

The Category Management team is evolving to establish an industry‑leading range of products and solutions, led by an exceptional team. This team is critically important to the continued success of MSC.

You will have full accountability for the Machine Optimisation category strategy, including Workholding, Measuring, Inspection and related productivity‑enhancing solutions, ensuring customers achieve improved accuracy, efficiency and machine uptime.

Drive Category Growth by developing and executing category growth plans focused on machine performance optimisation, tooling accuracy and process reliability. Work closely with suppliers specialising in Workholding systems, Metrology, Inspection equipment and Machine Tool accessories. Collaborate with Sales and technical teams to support customer productivity initiatives, including machine set‑up optimisation and process improvement. Lead strategic supplier engagement to deliver innovation aligned with machining trends, automation and smart manufacturing.

Enhance Category Profitability by optimising portfolio mix across premium, performance‑led solutions and strong value alternatives. Negotiate supplier agreements with a strong understanding of technical differentiation, application value and total cost of ownership. Identify cross‑sell and bundling opportunities across cutting tools, work holding, measurement and inspection solutions. Ensure technical products have best‑in‑class data, specifications and application content to support confident buying decisions. Build and maintain a clear Machine Optimisation product roadmap aligned to machining accuracy, repeatability and efficiency.

Use insight from customer behaviour and supplier expertise to guide range rationalisation and expansion.

Additional responsibilities include acting as a subject‑matter champion for Tool holding, Workholding and CNC machine equipment within the business; supporting machine optimisation initiatives by aligning product selection to machining processes such as milling, turning and multi‑axis operations; evaluating emerging technologies including modular work holding, quick‑change systems, probing and in‑process inspection; partnering with Marketing to deliver application‑led propositions and educational content; and monitoring market and competitor trends to ensure ongoing category competitiveness.

• Experience or strong working knowledge of Workholding, Measuring & Inspection or related Machine Optimisation categories.

• Understanding of machining environments, tolerances, accuracy requirements and manufacturing productivity drivers.

• Ability to translate technical product benefits into clear commercial and customer value.

• Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills and confidence acting as a technical reference point.