Category Manager

Bommidala Enterprises; Ernakulam; On-site; INR 2,800,000 - 4,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Bommidala Enterprises is seeking a Liquor Category Manager for its distribution business. You will develop category strategies, manage assortment, pricing, promotions and supplier relationships to drive sales, margin and market share across the liquor portfolio.

Role requires deep understanding of liquor categories, supplier negotiations and data-driven decision making. You will collaborate with sales, procurement and marketing teams to optimize SKU performance, forecast demand and ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Commerce or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in category management, brand management, purchasing, or sales within liquor/distribution.
• Strong understanding of liquor categories.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial agreements.
• Advanced analytical and financial management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category plans aligned with sales and profit objectives.
• Analyze market trends, consumer preferences, competitor activities, and industry developments.
• Identify opportunities for portfolio expansion and new product introductions.
• Set category sales, margin, and growth targets.
• Build and maintain relationships with liquor suppliers and brand owners.
• Negotiate commercial terms, promotional funding, pricing, rebates, and trading terms.
• Coordinate supplier reviews and joint business planning initiatives.
• Manage product assortment and optimal SKU mix based on demand and profitability.
• Lead new product launches and rationalize underperforming SKUs.
• Develop pricing strategies balancing market competitiveness and profitability.
• Monitor gross margins and promotional effectiveness.
• Collaborate with sales to develop category-focused initiatives and campaigns.
• Forecast demand and manage inventory levels to minimize stock issues.
• Ensure regulatory compliance for liquor distribution.

Skills

Strategic planning

Category management

Commercial negotiation

Financial analysis

Excel

BI reporting tools

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Commerce

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

Job Description: Liquor Category Manager (Distribution Business)

Job Title

Liquor Category Manager

Reports To

General Manager

Job Summary

The Liquor Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that drive sales growth, profitability, market share, and supplier partnerships across the liquor portfolio. This role manages product assortment, pricing, promotions, inventory performance, supplier relationships, and category performance analysis to maximize revenue and meet customer demand within the distribution business.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Growth

• Develop and implement category plans aligned with company sales and profit objectives.
• Analyze market trends, consumer preferences, competitor activities, and industry developments.
• Identify opportunities for portfolio expansion, premiumization, and new product introductions.
• Set category sales, margin, and growth targets.

Supplier & Brand Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with liquor suppliers, brand owners, and key stakeholders.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, promotional funding, pricing, rebates, and trading terms.
• Coordinate supplier business reviews and joint business planning initiatives.
• Evaluate supplier performance and recommend portfolio adjustments.

Product Portfolio Management

• Manage product assortment across spirits.
• Ensure optimal SKU mix based on customer demand, profitability, and market opportunities.
• Lead new product launches inline with brands best practices and recomendations
• Monitor product performance and rationalize underperforming SKUs.

Pricing & Profitability

• Develop pricing strategies that balance market competitiveness and profitability.
• Analyze gross margins, pricing trends, and promotional effectiveness.
• Monitor category financial performance and recommend corrective actions when necessary.

Sales & Marketing Support

• Collaborate with sales teams to develop category-focused sales initiatives.
• Work with bands to plan and execute promotional programs, activations, and seasonal campaigns.
• Provide category insights, training, and product knowledge to sales teams.
• Support key account negotiations with category expertise and market intelligence.

Inventory & Supply Chain Management

• Work closely with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure product availability.
• Forecast demand and manage inventory levels to minimize stock shortages and excess inventory.
• Monitor inventory turnover, aging stock, and replenishment performance.
• Assist in managing regulatory and compliance requirements related to liquor distribution.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze sales data, market share, customer trends, and category performance metrics.
• Prepare regular performance reports and recommendations for management.
• Use data-driven insights to optimize assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Category sales growth
• Gross profit and margin achievement
• Market share growth
• Inventory turnover and stock availability
• Promotional ROI
• SKU productivity and portfolio optimization

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, Commerce, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in category management, brand management, purchasing, or sales within the liquor, FMCG, beverage, or distribution industry.
• Strong understanding of liquor categories
• Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing commercial agreements.
• Advanced analytical and financial management skills.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic planning and category management
• Commercial negotiation and supplier management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Financial acumen and margin management
• Inventory and demand planning knowledge
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Advanced Excel and BI reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau, etc.)
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple priorities

Preferred Experience

• Experience in beverage alcohol distribution, wholesale, or retail operations.
• Knowledge of liquor licensing and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Experience managing major international and local liquor brands.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics.

Working Conditions

• Office/home-based with regular travel to suppliers, customers, trade events, and industry functions.
• Occasional evening or weekend work for industry events, product launches, and promotions.

Salary Range: Based on experience, market conditions, and business size.
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent.

Email Id : [e-mail]

Contact No : 8341017500