A rare and exciting opportunity for a Housewares Category Specialist to join the RKW team at Director level, is now live.
We are specifically looking for someone to drive the Category Strategy for a diverse portfolio of ranges and products across sections of our Housewares division.
This will require someone with a long-term vision and a deep understanding of the market, with a proven track record in driving sales across a full spectrum of customer channels.
RKW is Europe's leading distributor and manufacturer of small domestic appliances and housewares products.
The Category Director for Cook, Kitchen Accessories & Utility is responsible for leading the full commercial and product lifecycle strategy for a broad portfolio spanning Cookshop, Kitchen Accessories, Food Preparation, Tools & Gadgets, Storage, Waste Bins, Home Utility, Laundry, and Cleaning segments. The role ensures the business delivers profitable growth, channel‑aligned ranging, and compelling consumer propositions while maintaining a strategic balance of value, quality, and innovation.
Key Responsibilities –
Category Strategy & Leadership
* Define and deliver the long‑term category strategy across Cook, Kitchen Accessories, and Home Utility, aligned to financial targets and margin expectations, as set out in the Cookshop & Kitchen Accessories strategy frameworks.
* Lead strategic focus on top revenue‑driving categories (e.g., pots & pans, storage, waste bins), ensuring effective lifecycle management and the right balance of core, growth, and exit ranges.
* Drive market, consumer, competitor and commercial insight into decision‑making across all category plans.
Product Lifecycle Management
* Work with the Product Management team to oversee the NPI roadmap, ensuring timely approvals, channel‑appropriate propositions, and aligned go‑to‑market plans.
* Manage SKU lifecycle from ideation through to exit, including major range reviews, SKU rationalisation activity, and driving margin improvement initiatives.
* Work with supply chain, product management and buying to ensure cost efficiencies, MOQs, and margin targets are consistently achieved.
Commercial & Channel Development
* Own the commercial performance for the categories, delivering sales, margin, and ASP improvement through value‑driven and quality‑led propositions.
* Identify new channel/customer opportunities including Grocery, Online, Traditional and European markets, supporting sell‑in with compelling product content and investment‑aligned activation plans.
* Lead demand generation and demand capture tactics in partnership with marketing teams to fuel top‑of‑funnel awareness and in‑market conversion.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
* Partner with other Category Directors, Product Managers, Buyers, Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Marketing to ensure seamless end‑to‑end category execution and commercial alignment.
* Support selling teams with improved category education, core range definition, Good‑Better‑Best propositions, and channel placement clarity.
* Ensure product content, forecasts, costings, and approvals are aligned ahead of key milestones, including sell‑in and retail promotional windows.
* Work with Product Managers, Buyers, and cross‑functional category contributors to build a high‑performance culture.
* Establish best‑practice processes in category management, product development, lifecycle management, and competitor benchmarking.
* Drive continuous improvement in ways of working across Cook, Kitchen Accessories and Utility teams, aligning with wider organisational strategy.
Skills & Experience Required -
* Proven experience in Category Management/Senior Sales experience within Cookshop, Homewares, Utility or adjacent consumer goods categories.
* Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering margin, ASP and profitable range growth.
* Deep understanding of consumer insight, trend analysis, and competitor landscapes.
* Strong product development and lifecycle management expertise, including NPI processes.
* Excellent influencing skills with the ability to drive alignment across buying, product management, supply chain, and marketing functions.
* Leadership capability to guide multi‑disciplinary teams and develop future commercial talent.
* Highly analytical, organised and proactive in identifying opportunities and risks.
Key Categories Overseen
* Cook & Kitchen: Cookware, Bakeware, Tools & Gadgets, Food Preparation, Storage, Waste Bins, Knives & Boards, Countertop Accessories.
* Utility: Laundry, Heated Airers, Ironing boards, Cleaning, Bathroom Accessories,
Success Measures
* Year‑on‑year category revenue and margin growth.
* Improved ASP and reduction of low‑value, short‑term tactical ranges.
* Successful execution of NPD roadmap and lifecycle plans.
* Reduction in SKU duplication and optimisation of IPG (Item Product Group) structures.
* Strong channel performance and increased distribution points across UK & Europe and ROW.
* High category team engagement and capability uplift.
Package & Benefits –
* Competitive Market Salary with regular reviews
* Company Car
* Bonus Scheme
* Life Insurance Scheme
* Elevated Pension Contribution
* Private Personal Medical Cover
* Staff Discounts on all products
* Free secure parking on all sites
* Eye Care Support
Come and help us to celebrate 35 years of business
If you feel you have the right background and experience to carry out this busy role, we look forward to hearing from you, apply now via this link or email your cv directly to
*Notice to agencies. R K Wholesale Limited (the Company) will not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies, search firms, or independent agents for this available role. Resumes submitted without specific vacancy authorisation and valid signed agreement in place will become the sole property of the Company. Therefore, no fee will be payable should a candidate be hired as a result of an unsolicited agency, search firm or independent agent's referral. *