Role Purpose
The Category Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, sourcing, pricing, and performance management of assigned categories. This role drives growth through data-led decision making, supplier collaboration, promotional planning, and operational execution to deliver sales and profit.
Responsibilities
1. Category Strategy
- Develop and implement end-to-end strategies for assigned categories that align with company objectives and meet evolving shopper needs.
- Conduct regular range reviews to optimise assortment mix, pricing structure, and country-of-origin planning.
- Identify opportunities to drive category growth, improve value perception, and enhance overall shopper satisfaction.
2. Commercial & Supplier Management
- Source and manage a diverse supplier base across local and international markets.
- Lead commercial negotiations to secure competitive costs, ensure supply stability, and explore consignment or exclusive supply models.
- Build strong vendor partnerships to support product innovation, maintain quality assurance, and drive joint marketing efforts.
- Ensure vendor-operated counters comply with internal brand standards, pricing strategy, and assortment guidelines.
- Uphold food safety, responsible sourcing, and sustainability standards across all supplier and product touchpoints.
3. Pricing, Promotions & Profitability
- Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with profitability, based on market trends and internal margin goals.
- Lead the planning and execution of promotional campaigns, seasonal activations, and targeted price events.
Job Requirements
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in Category Management, Merchandising, Procurement, or Buying, ideally within the retail, FMCG, or grocery sectors.
- Demonstrated success in managing a P&L, meeting sales targets, and driving category growth through effective range reviews and promotional execution.
- Proven experience in both local and international sourcing, with a solid understanding of supply chain logistics and country-of-origin planning.
- Strong commercial acumen with a proven ability to lead complex negotiations, secure competitive costs, and manage vendor compliance/SLAs.
- Highly proficient in data analysis and retail math (e.g., margins, GMROI, sell-through rates). Ability to turn sales data and market insights into actionable strategies.
- Advanced knowledge of MS Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and experience with retail ERP or inventory management systems.
- Familiarity with food safety regulations, cold chain management, and sustainable/responsible sourcing standards is highly advantageous.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams (Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain) and maintain strong external vendor relationships.
