Category Manager

BrandBridge Networks; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

BrandBridge is seeking a Category Manager to own the commercial success of an assigned portfolio, driving sales, profitability, assortment strategy, and inventory health. You will partner with multiple brands, manage performance, and lead cross-functional initiatives to deliver growth.

This role requires an entrepreneurial mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to collaborate across Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to execute category plans.

Qualifications

• Own the overall business performance of assigned categories and brand portfolio.
• Develop annual, quarterly, and monthly business plans aligned with company objectives.
• Drive category growth through assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to expand category performance and market share.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage long-term relationships with partner brands.
• Serve as the primary business contact for assigned brands.
• Conduct regular business reviews and performance discussions.
• Negotiate commercial terms and promotional investments.

Skills

Category Management

Business Planning

Commercial Negotiation

Sales Analytics

Inventory Management

Forecasting

P&L Understanding

Vendor Management

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Commerce/Marketing

MBA or related postgraduate qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

Location - Mumbai

About BrandBridge

BrandBridge is a retail growth and distribution partner that helps brands scale through strategic retail expansion, category management, and omnichannel execution. We work closely with emerging and established brands to build sustainable growth by combining commercial expertise, data-driven decision-making, and operational excellence.

Our focus is on creating value for both our brand partners and retail ecosystem through strong partnerships, efficient execution, and customer-centric category strategies.

Role Overview

As a Category Manager, you will own the commercial success of an assigned portfolio of brands and categories. You will be responsible for driving sales, profitability, assortment strategy, inventory health, and business planning while acting as the primary relationship owner for partner brands.

This role requires an entrepreneurial mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to work cross-functionally to deliver business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Business Ownership

• Own the overall business performance of assigned categories and brand portfolio.
• Develop annual, quarterly, and monthly business plans aligned with company objectives.
• Drive category growth through assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and commercial initiatives.
• Continuously identify opportunities to expand category performance and market share.

Brand Partnership Management

• Build and manage long-term relationships with partner brands.
• Serve as the primary business contact for assigned brands.
• Conduct regular business reviews and performance discussions.
• Negotiate commercial terms, promotional investments, and annual business plans.

Assortment & Merchandise Planning

• Curate product assortments based on consumer insights, market trends, and channel requirements.
• Plan seasonal launches, product introductions, and portfolio expansion.
• Optimize assortment productivity across channels.

Sales & Performance Management

• Track sales performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Analyze business performance, customer trends, and category KPIs.
• Recommend corrective actions to improve revenue, margins, and productivity.
• Prepare weekly and monthly business performance reports.

Inventory & Supply Coordination

• Monitor inventory health, stock availability, and ageing.
• Collaborate with supply chain and operations teams to ensure timely replenishment.
• Drive healthy inventory turns while minimizing stock‑outs and excess inventory.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with:

• Sales
• Operations
• Supply Chain
• Finance
• Marketing
• Retail Partners
• Planning Teams

to ensure seamless execution of category plans and business objectives.

Market Intelligence

• Monitor consumer trends, competitor activity, and emerging brands.
• Identify new growth opportunities within existing and adjacent categories.
• Recommend innovative initiatives to strengthen category performance.

Governance & Process Excellence

• Ensure compliance with commercial agreements and internal processes.
• Maintain accurate business documentation and reporting.
• Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies across category management activities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Category Sales Growth
• Gross Margin Achievement
• Category Profitability
• Sell-through Performance
• Inventory Turnover
• Forecast Accuracy
• Stock Availability
• Brand Satisfaction
• Business Plan Achievement
• New Product Launch Success
• Commercial Target Achievement

Preferred Experience

• 48 years of experience in Category Management, Buying, Merchandising, Key Account Management, Retail Business, FMCG, Consumer Brands, or Modern Trade.
• Experience working with multiple brands or managing vendor relationships is preferred.
• Exposure to omnichannel retail or distribution businesses will be an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

Functional Skills

• Category Management
• Business Planning
• Commercial Negotiation
• Sales Analytics
• Inventory Management
• Forecasting
• Financial & P&L Understanding
• Vendor & Brand Management
• Microsoft Excel & Business Reporting

Behavioural Competencies

• Commercial mindset
• Ownership and accountability
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent stakeholder management
• Negotiation and influencing ability
• Customer-centric thinking
• Execution excellence
• Adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Problem-solving and decision-making

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, Marketing, Retail Management, or a related discipline.
• MBA or Postgraduate qualification is preferred.

Why Join BrandBridge?

At BrandBridge, you'll work at the intersection of brands, retail, and consumer growth. We believe in empowering individuals with ownership, encouraging innovation, and building meaningful partnerships that create long-term value. If you're passionate about driving business performance, collaborating with leading brands, and shaping the future of retail, BrandBridge offers the platform to make a real impact.