Category Manager - Private Label

GMG; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Category Manager to enhance market share in the Healthcare sector. This role involves driving sales through strategic category management, collaboration with various teams for optimum product visibility, and strong supplier relations. Candidates should possess analytical skills and a proven track record in sales growth.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of proven experience in category management, preferably in Healthcare.
• Strong track record of driving sales growth and profitability.
• Experience with market research techniques.

Responsibilities

• Drive sales from assigned brand/category through comprehensive business plans.
• Manage pricing negotiations with principals and ensure category profitability KPIs are achieved.
• Collaborate with marketing and retail teams for maximum category visibility.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Negotiation skills

Relationship-building skills

Project management skills

Communication skills

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job summary:

The role holder will be responsible to grow category market share through provision of an effective and innovative product portfolio within the right price and quality in order to drive sales. The role is responsible for contributing to Business Unit’s overall category strategy, as well as partnering and maintaining key relationships with principals for brands/categories managed and maximizes sales and profitability.

Core Responsibilities:

• Drive sales from the assigned brand/category by developing comprehensive business plans • Studies trends from historical data around brand/category sales and market research to assist in the overall planning process

• Ensures category profitability KPIs are clearly set and achieved.

• Manages consumer mapping, and is responsible for brand/category consumer segmentation and differentiation.

• Ensures optimum utilization of customer research information to guide brand/category management decisions, including decisions on the introduction of new products, product assortment, promotion and pricing of products in the store

• Collaborates with Retail operations to understand consumer trends, sales figures, etc. to further formulate the business plan for the brand/category

• Ensures access to market intelligence through various sources on competition pricing and business and analysis of trends which may impact the Business Unit

• Ensures proper assortment mix and share of Own Brands within category

• Monitors and analyses business performance by brand/category sales, sell-out, gross margin and turnover and translates insights into key selling points, or category opportunities

• Manages and tracks brand/category sales planning and forecasting processes

• Ensures effective ‘in season’ management for the given brand/category of products (stock balancing, markdown management, stock analysis, stock vs sales performance).

• Leads and oversees the buying requirements and formulates buying plan and budget for the brand/category and ensures proper monitoring of orders based on the buying plan and follow-ups on merchandise delivery as per the plan

• Manages the relationship and liaises with principals/supplies on matters relating to price negotiations, product launches, marketing campaigns, forthcoming offerings and events

• Coordinates regular meetings with Area Managers/Store Managers to share insights arising from market dynamics and brand/category performance

• Collaborates with the visual merchandising function to provide brand/category guidelines and implementations of the same in all retail outlets

• Collaborates with the retail marketing function, to ensure maximum visibility of their category through retail marketing

• Analyses sales related data for products within the brand/category portfolio and provides insights into enhancing potential sales opportunities

• Works with the Human Resource department to coordinate training related to products and customer service, to ensure personnel knowledge of key product features and benefits across the stores

Requirements:

• 3 - 5 years of proven experience in category management preferably in the Healthcare industry. Good Experience handling end-to-end liaison with Brands across all levels

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and make strategic decisions.

• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills to effectively collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

• Proven experience in category management or related roles, with a track record of driving sales growth and profitability.

• Knowledge of market research techniques and familiarity with market research tools.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively communicate category strategies and plans to stakeholders.

•Proficiency in using data analysis tools and software, such as Microsoft Excel, to analyze and interpret sales data.

• Knowledge of retail and consumer behavior trends, including e-commerce and digital marketing.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing market conditions.

• Strong leadership and team management skills to effectively lead cross-functional teams.