Category Manager (Hypermarket)

Role Overview

The Category Manager (Hypermarket) plays a pivotal role in translating the overall business category strategy into effective category plans, commercial initiatives and strong in-store execution.

Reporting to the Head of Business Category Management, this role acts as a key business partner in driving category growth, improving financial performance, strengthening market competitiveness and ensuring execution excellence across the Hypermarket business.

The ideal candidate is a strong category management professional with a share commercial mindset, excellent analytical capabilities, strong knowledge of the supermarket/hypermarket business and the ability to turn market and business insights into practical actions.

This role requires someone who is proactive, detail-oriented, firm in driving results, commercially astute and highly collaborative — a trusted partner who can work effectively with suppliers and cross-functional teams to deliver business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Strategy & Growth

• Support the Head of Business Category Management in developing and executing category strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
• Identify opportunities to grow sales, improve gross margin, strengthen market position, increase assortment productivity and enhance category profitability.
• Translate category and market understanding into clear category priorities, initiatives and business plans.
• Develop commercially sound recommendations supported by relevant data, insights and business understanding.
• Proactively identify strategic opportunities and risks that may impact category performance and recommend appropriate actions.
• Support the development of longer-term category direction, priorities and growth initiatives.

2. Commercial & Category Planning

• Develop annual and periodic category plans aligned with business priorities and trading objectives.
• Develop category activation plans for key trading periods, campaigns and commercial priorities.
• Work closely with Products Department to develop effective promotional, pricing and commercial initiatives.
• Ensure category plans are commercially viable and aligned with shopper needs, supplier opportunities and business profitability.
• Review the effectiveness of commercial initiatives and refine future plans based on results and learnings.
• Coordinate key category initiatives to ensure priorities, timelines and responsibilities are clearly defined.

3. Business & Financial Performance

• Own the regular monitoring and review of category financial performance, including sales, margin, volume, market share and other relevant KPIs.
• Track performance against targets and identify significant variances requiring management attention.
• Conduct business reviews to understand performance drivers, gaps and root causes.
• Develop corrective action plans where performance is below expectations and follow through on agreed actions.
• Prepare regular category performance updates and management reports highlighting key results, issues and actions.
• Ensure business decisions are supported by a clear understanding of financial and commercial implications.

4. Market, Shopper & Category Intelligence

• Monitor market trends, competitor activities, shopper behaviour and relevant category developments.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the competitive landscape and its implications for the Hypermarket business.
• Analyse relevant market, category, shopper and business data to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of key categories, brands, suppliers, competitors and market dynamics.
• Share relevant market and category intelligence with stakeholders to support business planning and decision-making.
• Stay close to the market and continuously identify new ideas, practices and opportunities that may benefit the business.

5. Supplier & Cross-Functional Management

• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with key trade suppliers.
• Lead or support commercial discussions and negotiations with suppliers and Products Department where required.
• Develop supplier partnerships that create value for the business while protecting company objectives and commercial interests.
• Build effective working relationships across Commercial, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Store Operations and other relevant functions.
• Align stakeholders on priorities, responsibilities, timelines and expected outcomes for key category initiatives.
• Influence stakeholders constructively and maintain a reputation for being reliable, fair, commercially sound and firm on business requirements.

6. In-Store Execution & Merchandising

• Drive consistent execution of agreed category standards across Hypermarket stores.
• Ensure approved assortment, pricing, promotions, planograms, displays, visibility and merchandising standards are implemented effectively.
• Conduct regular store visits to assess execution quality and identify gaps.
• Work closely with Store Operations to address execution issues and improve consistency across stores.
• Establish and continuously improve category execution standards, guidelines and best practices.
• Follow up on identified gaps and ensure agreed corrective actions are implemented within the required timeframe.
• Maintain a strong attention to detail and ensure execution standards are consistently maintained.

7. Business Projects & Management Communication

• Lead or support business projects assigned by the Head of Business Category Management or senior management.
• Structure project objectives, workstreams, timelines, stakeholders and expected deliverables.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure projects progress according to agreed plans.
• Monitor project progress, identify issues and escalate key risks or decisions when required.
• Prepare clear and commercially relevant management presentations and business updates.
• Translate complex information into concise business messages, key findings and recommended actions.
• Support strategic reviews, management meetings and other business planning activities.

What We Are Looking For

• Relevant experience in Category Management, Commercial Management, Buying/Merchandising or Retail Business Management, preferably within Hypermarket, Supermarket, FMCG or Retail environments.
• Strong understanding of the supermarket/hypermarket business model, category dynamics and retail operations.
• Good understanding of suppliers, brands, trade practices and commercial negotiations.
• Demonstrated experience in using data and business information to identify opportunities and improve performance.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects or business initiatives would be an advantage.