Category Manager

Summary

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.

Role Description

• 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.

About You

• Degree in Business Management or any other relevant discipline
• At least 3 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.