Ansell Lighting
Product Category Manager
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Product Category Manager
Lighting Product Category Manager
In a Nutshell: In the role of Product Category Manager, you will oversee and grow our lighting product portfolio. This mid to senior-level position is responsible for managing the full product lifecycle, building strong supplier relationships, and aligning product strategy with wholesale market demands. You will play a pivotal role in ensuring Ansell remains competitive and innovative across all lighting categories.
About Ansell & What We Do
We design and manufacture internal and external lighting solutions for customers across public and private sectors, prioritising quality and sustainability. Established in 1992, we are now a global operator with operational bases in Warrington and Belfast, and state-of-the-art showrooms in Belfast, Warrington, Madrid, and Dublin. Serving over 26 countries, Ansell Lighting is recognised for its innovation in lighting design, with multiple awards for energy-efficient luminaires and our industry-leading Octo lighting control system.
Key Responsibilities
Main Duties
- Manage and develop a defined portfolio of lighting products, ensuring market fit, quality, and profitability.
- Drive new product development in collaboration with manufacturing partners, defining specifications, reviewing samples, managing timelines, and ensuring quality control.
- Monitor industry trends, customer feedback, and competitor activity to identify opportunities or risks for the product range.
- Lead product launches and range reviews, including commercial planning, technical documentation, pricing, and internal training.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with purchasing, supply chain, marketing, compliance, and sales teams to ensure smooth product introductions and lifecycle transitions.
- Work closely with QA and technical teams to ensure all products meet UK and EU regulatory standards and Ansell’s quality expectations.
- Visit key suppliers (including international travel to Asia) to manage relationships, conduct audits, and assess production capabilities.
- Provide commercial insights to the sales team, equipping them with product information, unique selling points, and market positioning.
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Projects
- Daily interface with internal teams and suppliers.
- Conduct GAP analysis of the product offering and identify areas for development.
- Responsible for the consolidation of data, certification, and files for product handover.
Product Development & Design
- Manage product segments/projects alongside product managers and designers.
- Ensure all designed and sourced products adhere to the latest applicable standards.
- Conduct product benchmarking against competitors for existing or new products across all sectors.
- Arrange internal/external product testing as required.
Research
- Perform market research to review Ansell’s position within the lighting market and identify areas for improvement.
- Monitor product lifecycle for all Ansell brands.
- Prepare product and supplier strategy roadmaps (2-year outlook).
- Establish, review, and integrate potential products/product ranges into roadmaps.
- Prepare continuous benchmarking information, including competitor pricing and components.
Supplier Interface
- Maintain dialogue with suppliers/internal teams for regular updates.
- Consolidate data, specifications, certifications, and product documentation.
- Manage price negotiations to maintain a competitive pricing level and drive product savings.
- Source products from competitive regions and re-source as necessary.
Requirements
Essential
- Good level of general and higher education.
- 3+ years of experience in product/category management, ideally within lighting, electrical, or related building products.
- Demonstrable experience sourcing and managing products from Chinese suppliers, including understanding of manufacturing, negotiation, tooling, and quality control.
- Strong commercial acumen with deep understanding of pricing strategies and margin control.
- Proficient in project management, with excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Fully versed in luminaire componentry and up-to-date awareness of their availability.
- Knowledge of lighting technologies (especially LED), UK and EU regulations, and energy efficiency standards.
- Strong negotiation approach.
- Computer-literate with proficiency in MS Excel, Word. Experience with DTX/Perito is advantageous.
- Ability to work independently, make data-driven decisions, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Keen to learn and self-develop, expanding professional knowledge.
- Ability to communicate confidently and effectively verbally and in writing across all levels.
- Must maintain a professional approach, lead by example, and operate with diplomacy.
- Commitment to ongoing learning and self-development.
- Willingness to undertake international travel to supplier locations in Asia.
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Desirable
- Relevant courses within the lighting industry.
- Advanced general knowledge of luminaires, componentry, and smart technologies.
- Experience in the UK wholesale electrical distribution channel (e.g., distributors, wholesalers, or contractors).
- Familiarity with lighting control systems and evolving lighting technology.
- Experience in lighting, electronics, and luminaire design.
- Ability to locate market research data.
- Knowledge of compliance standards such as CE, UKCA, ENEC, RoHS, and related testing procedures.
- compétences d'achèvement à bon terme ("Completer finisher" Beau français: Ubuntu sense).
- Personable and approachable management style.
Benefits
Ansell believes in offering support and rewards to ensure a fulfilling work life. We offer:
- Competitive salary (Salary: DOE).
- 28 days holiday per year, including Bank Holidays (additional days accrue with service length and a Christmas shutdown).
- Discount on products.
- Recognition and rewards scheme.
- Access to our learning platform with training and development programs.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- On-site, free parking.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Discretionary bonus scheme.
- Life Assurance.
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