Category Manager

Shape the Range That Powers Australia’s Tradespeople

• Permanent Role
• Hybrid Working Arrangement
• Tools Industry Leader
  
  

At Total Tools, we’ve proudly supported tradies for over 30 years—offering the right tools, advice, and service across our nationwide network. With most of our stores locally owned and operated, we’ve built a reputation as Australia’s premier destination for trade-quality tools.

The Role

We’re looking for a commercially savvy and strategically minded Category Manager to lead end-to-end category performance across a designated product group. This high-impact role is responsible for developing and executing merchandise strategies that align with Total Tools’ broader commercial goals, including driving exclusive brand penetration, optimising supplier terms, and delivering category growth.

Reporting to the Head of Power Tools, you’ll collaborate with Support Office teams, suppliers, and store stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of merchandise programs that deliver sales, margin, and customer satisfaction.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and execute category strategies that maximise sales and profitability across stores.
• Lead category range reviews to identify innovation, market gaps, and exclusive brand opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships, including trading terms, new product submissions, and pricing negotiations.
• Coordinate promotional activities and merchandising plans in line with campaign calendars.
• Analyse competitor activity, pricing, and market trends to keep the category competitive.
• Support stores with category plans, local supplier programs, and exclusive product development.
• Contribute to ecommerce product availability and online merchandising strategies.
• Maintain and update all supplier and product data across systems including Pronto.
• Coach and mentor Junior or Assistant Category Managers where required.
• Travel interstate and overseas as necessary to meet category objectives.
  
  

Your Skills & Experience

• Previous category, product, or merchandise management experience in a retail or trade setting.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and high sku count categories
• Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating with suppliers and managing margin outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver strategic and tactical business plans.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Solid understanding of marketing, merchandising, and promotional execution.
• Strong systems capability, including Excel, PowerPoint, Pronto, and BI tools such as COGNOS.
• Product knowledge relating to trade tools, hardware, or industrial equipment preferred.
• Degree in Commerce, Business, or a related discipline is desirable. Trade background also favourable.
• Accurate, timely reporting and compliance with regulatory requirements.
  
  

At Total Tools, we value integrity, teamwork, accountability, and putting the customer first. We foster a supportive and inclusive workplace and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

One Team, Own it & Get it Done, Customer First & Be the Difference!

All that is left to do is to click “Apply” to join the team! #CareersWithTheTotalPackage

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• At Metcash, you’re part of something bigger. You have all the perks of a small business heart, without missing out on the big business support.
• Being part of something bigger means you’re part of a strong purpose, where the work you do makes a big difference to independent business and local communities. It opens a sea of opportunities to develop yourself, grow your career, thrive your way and make your mark. And you’ll be part of our high performing team, where you reap the rewards of our collective success now and into the future.
  
  

Life at Metcash

• Experience a supportive and flexible work environment. We are a FlexReady accredited workplace!
• Enjoy a 5th week of annual leave.
• Benefit from 2 well-being days and 1 volunteer day annually.
• An abundance of learning, development, and career growth opportunities.
• 12 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave for primary carers.
• Proudly awarded the “Bronze Employer for LGBTQ Inclusion”.
• Recognized as the 74th in the "Equileap Top 100" globally for initiatives on gender equity.
• Gold accreditation by Mental Health Australia.
• Incredible value discounts and perks through our team member app, “Our Local”.
  
  

We’re all about celebrating success, and we’re proud to be a WGEA Employer of Choice for Equity, an accredited Flex Ready workplace, and a Gold Standard Mental Health First Aid skilled workplace.

Total Tools is a proud equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All hiring decisions are based upon skills, qualifications, and merit.

Only applicants with valid working rights in Australia will be considered for this position.