THE ROLE
The Category Manager is accountable for delivering sales growth, margin expansion and inventory efficiency across assigned categories. The role owns end-to-end commercial performance, including range strategy, pricing, promotion effectiveness and supplier profitability, while ensuring strong sell-through and disciplined stock management. Beyond direct category ownership, the Category Manager also provides commercial oversight and mentorship across related categories, driving consistent category standards, stronger decision quality and capability uplift within the team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- To develop and implement strategic plans for assigned categories within the framework of a disciplined category management business process so as to achieve Company's financial goals and objectives, improve market share and to meet customer's needs.
- Achieve category sales, profit and income goals and objectives through developing and implementing business plans for the assigned categories.
- Translate customer insights, market trends and performance data into clear category priorities and actions.
- Maintain strong, strategic supplier partnerships with partners through joint business plan discussions and periodic performance reviews.
- Develop and manage an optimal category assortment, ensuring relevance, differentiation, space productivity and profitability, which also focuses on customers demands through periodic range reviews of assigned categories.
- Manage sourcing of right products internationally, which fits the demands of local customers.
- Develop and implement promotion plans that bring excitement to our customers, to drive incremental sales & profitability to the business.
- Ensure timely allocation of stocks and sell-through of products. Conduct periodic reviews and apply learnings to improve processes that will drive future sales performance.
- Develop and implement a competitive pricing strategy that delivers value to our customers.
- Establish collaborative retailer/supplier relationships to maximise income/terms/discounts to improve sales and profitability of category.
- Work closely with the Supply Planning Team to ensure accurate forecasts, healthy stock availability and on-shelf availability and optimised inventory levels.
- Ensure full compliance with Company policies, including but not limited to governance standards and product inventory management processes.
- Deliver shrink and stock holding reduction targets through effective range & inventory management and product lifecycle planning.
- Actively contribute to a culture of collaboration, learning, accountability and continuous improvement across teams and stores.
- Lead initiatives pertaining to assigned projects independently.
- Any other adhoc projects or duties as required.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Degree in Business Management or any other relevant discipline
- Possesses at least 3 5 years of experience in category management, buying or commercial roles within the FMCG or multi-category retail industry.
- Good Microsoft office applications skills, especially in Excel and other data reporting tools.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret data and drive profitable decisions.
- Good organizational, communication and negotiation skills.
- Confident negotiator and influencer, able to manage complex supplier and internal stakeholder relationships.
