Category and Brand Manager

Lawand Group; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawand Group in Bengaluru is seeking a Category & Brand Manager to oversee a portfolio of FMCG brands across international markets. You will drive category performance, manage product assortment, analyze sales, and coordinate retail promotions to fuel growth.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience in FMCG, and ability to collaborate with manufacturers and internal teams to expand listings and optimize pricing.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in Category Management, Brand Management, Trade Marketing, or Vendor Management in FMCG.
• Experience managing product categories, analysing sales, and driving category growth in retail/FMCG.
• Domestic/international market exposure preferred (Australia, New Zealand, Middle East).
• MBA from reputed Indian business school preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned FMCG brands and categories across international markets with growth focus.
• Analyse sales and category performance to identify opportunities for growth and portfolio optimisation.
• Plan and coordinate promotions, listings, and POS materials aligned with brand guidelines.
• Develop pricing strategies and support margin improvements.
• Collaborate with partner manufacturers and internal teams on category and brand plans.
• Provide category insights and reports to manufacturers and internal stakeholders.

Education

MBA (preferred)

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Category & Brand Manager FMCG

Category and Brand Management | Full-time | Bengaluru

At Lawand, the Category & Brand Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of FMCG brands across Australia, New Zealand, and other international markets. The role focuses on category performance, product assortment, sales analysis, retail promotions, relationships with partner manufacturers, and identifying opportunities to drive category growth across retail channels.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category & Brand Management

• Manage assigned FMCG brands and product categories, ensuring alignment with brand positioning, market requirements, and business objectives.
• Develop a strong understanding of product portfolios, category dynamics, competitor offerings, pricing, and consumer preferences.
• Analyse sales and category performance to identify growth opportunities, underperforming products, and opportunities for portfolio optimisation.
• Identify opportunities for new product listings, product range extensions, and category expansion across retail channels and approved markets.
• Share relevant category insights, market trends, and performance reports with partner manufacturers and internal stakeholders, and drive appropriate follow-up actions.

2. Partner Manufacturer Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with partner manufacturers and internal stakeholders through regular communication and annual face-to-face meetings.
• Coordinate with the Business Development (BD) team to understand retailer requirements, product listing opportunities, category needs, and growth plans.
• Ensure seamless coordination between partner manufacturers and internal teams to support retail requirements and business objectives.
• Resolve brand-, product-, and category-related issues promptly and professionally, proactively addressing potential challenges.
• Collaborate with the Managing Director and internal teams on contract finalisation, where required.

3. Trade Marketing & Category Growth

• Plan and coordinate brand promotions across in-store, digital, and social media channels in line with brand objectives and retailer requirements.
• Support retail listing initiatives, product launches, and category growth opportunities through appropriate promotional activities.
• Develop brand-aligned marketing creatives and manage Point of Sale Materials (POSM), ensuring consistency with brand guidelines.
• Identify suitable third-party agencies and service providers for promotional execution and ensure smooth implementation.
• Manage promotional budgets, evaluate campaign effectiveness, and prepare return on investment (ROI) and post-event assessment reports.
• Support promotional negotiations and coordinate approvals with internal and external stakeholders.

4. Sales Analysis, Pricing & Demand Planning

• Analyse sales, stock, and retail performance reports to assess category performance, identify sales trends, and highlight opportunities for improvement.
• Work with the BD team to gather retailer-wise forecasts and contribute to demand planning and stock availability.
• Support product assortment and listing decisions through sales analysis, market potential, competitor insights, and retailer requirements.
• Collaborate with partner manufacturers and internal teams to develop pricing strategies and support margin improvements.
• Identify and address potential out-of-stock situations, short shelf-life concerns, and supply inconsistencies in coordination with relevant teams.
• Monitor product performance and provide relevant insights to partner manufacturers to support category development and business growth.

5. Operations, Compliance & Reporting

• Understand internal operational processes and coordinate with relevant teams to resolve manufacturer- and retail-related queries.
• Raise and investigate product quality concerns, coordinating with manufacturers to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate the internationalisation of packaging artwork with manufacturers and design teams to meet market-specific requirements.
• Respond to market-related queries and ensure the timely submission of category performance reports and other required updates.
• Collaborate with the BD, Compliance, Supply Chain, and other internal teams to ensure the smooth execution of category and brand plans.

Key Skills

• Category & Brand Management
• Retail Category Performance Analysis
• Product Assortment & Portfolio Optimisation
• Sales Analysis & Business Performance Reporting
• Retailer & Supplier Relationship Management
• Trade Marketing & Promotional Planning
• Product Listing & Category Development
• Pricing & Margin Analysis
• Forecasting & Demand Planning
• FMCG / Food & Beverage Industry Experience
• Cross-functional Team Collaboration

Must-Have Qualifications & Experience

• 3–5 years of experience in Category Management, Brand Management, Trade Marketing, or Vendor Management, preferably in the FMCG or Food & Beverage sector.
• Experience managing product categories, analysing sales performance, developing product assortments, or driving category growth within a retail or FMCG environment.
• Experience handling international markets, particularly Australia, New Zealand, or the Middle East, will be preferred.
• Strong understanding of retail dynamics, product performance, category development, pricing, promotional planning, and market expansion.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with external partners and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple brands, product categories, timelines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Business Development, Compliance, Manufacturers, and Supply Chain.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, commercial awareness, and problem-solving abilities.
• An MBA from a reputed or top-tier Indian business school will be preferred.