Category Manager

The Category Manager is responsible for managing assigned product categories to achieve sales, gross profit, and income targets. This role involves developing strategic plans, executing promotional and pricing strategies, optimizing assortment and space productivity, and maintaining strong supplier partnerships. The individual must be proactive, data-driven, and adaptable to market trends and business needs.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Sales & Profitability:
  Drive and achieve category sales, gross profit, and income goals by monitoring market trends and developing strategies to grow market share and counter competition.
• Inventory Management:
  Implement effective inventory management processes to ensure an optimal product mix that meets customer needs while minimizing shrinkage.
• Promotion Planning:
  Plan and execute promotional campaigns that create excitement and drive incremental sales in-store.
• Merchandising & Space Management:
  Develop and implement planogram and space management strategies to improve shelf productivity, enhance customer experience, and increase category turnover.
• Range Review & Assortment Optimization:
  Conduct regular range reviews to ensure the right assortment mix is in place to drive productivity, meet shopper needs, and eliminate underperforming SKUs.
• Category & Brand Strategy:
  Oversee the implementation of category strategies, including the development of private label or house brand products.
• Relationship Management:
  Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to align on business objectives.
• Market Insight:
  Stay updated on consumer behavior, market developments, and competitor activities to inform category strategies.
• Pricing Strategy:
  Develop and implement competitive pricing strategies that offer value to customers while supporting profitability.
• Supplier Collaboration:
  Establish and manage collaborative partnerships with suppliers to optimize trading terms, income opportunities, and promotional funding.
• Reporting & Analysis:
  Prepare weekly/monthly category performance reports with actionable insights and recommendations.
• Promotion Evaluation:
  Evaluate the effectiveness of promotional campaigns and provide insights for continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• 4-6 years of relevant experience in retail or FMCG, preferably in a merchandising or category management role.
• Strong understanding of customer-centric business models.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong knowledge of market dynamics and consumer trends.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to translate data into insights.
• Energetic, creative, collaborative, and highly adaptable.
• Organized and results-driven with a proactive mindset.
• Team player with the ability to promote cross-functional collaboration.
• Effective in decision-making and responsive to a fast-changing environment.
• Comfortable communicating across all levels of the organization.