Category Manager (Remote Working)

Symphoni HR Pvt Ltd.; Mumbai; Remote; INR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Symphoni HR Pvt Ltd. in India is seeking a seasoned Category Specialist to own the strategy and growth of a key product category across the Indian market.

You will analyze customer needs, market trends, and competitor offerings to drive category performance, while leading product lifecycle management, pricing decisions, and profitability initiatives. This role requires collaboration with Finance, Manufacturing, and global product teams to optimize the portfolio and customer experience.

Qualifications

• Own the strategy and growth of the assigned product category.
• Analyse customer needs, market trends, and competitor offerings.
• Drive category-level commercial performance and profitability.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives across GTM, UX, Marketing, Finance, and Manufacturing.
• Track KPIs and prepare reports for business reviews.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategy and growth of the assigned product category.
• Analyse customer needs, market trends, and competitor offerings.
• Develop business cases to support new opportunities and investments.
• Manage products from introduction to optimisation and retirement.
• Drive NPI, assortment optimisation, cost improvements, and quality enhancements.
• Prepare and maintain demand forecasts; participate in S&OP.

Skills

Category strategy

Product management

Commercial strategy

Stakeholder management

Forecasting & analytics

Job description

Role & responsibilities

Category strategy and business growth

• Own the strategy and growth of the assigned product category.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue, market share, customer acquisition, and profitability.
• Analyse customer needs, market trends, and competitor offerings.
• Develop business cases to support new opportunities and investments.

2. Product lifecycle management

• Manage products from introduction to optimisation and retirement.
• Drive New Product Introduction (NPI), assortment optimisation, cost improvements, and quality enhancements.
• Ensure the product range meets local customer requirements.
• Use customer feedback, ratings, and reviews to improve the portfolio.

3. Pricing, profitability, and P&L

• Drive category-level commercial performance.
• Work with Finance and Pricing teams on pricing, discounts, promotions, margins, and cost analysis.
• Identify ways to improve profitability while maintaining competitive pricing.
• Build business cases and evaluate the financial impact of category decisions.

4. Forecasting and supply chain planning

• Prepare and maintain demand forecasts for the product portfolio.
• Participate in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP).
• Coordinate with Manufacturing and third-party fulfilment partners (3PF).
• Help minimise stock-outs, improve delivery performance, and optimise supply efficiency.

5. Cross-functional stakeholder management

• Work closely with GTM, Digital, UX, Marketing, Finance, Pricing, Manufacturing, and global product teams.
• Translate category strategy into actionable plans and ensure execution across functions.
• Represent the needs of Indian customers to global stakeholders.
• Lead initiatives to improve online conversion and customer acquisition.

6. Team leadership and performance reporting

• Manage, coach, and develop a Category Specialist.
• Track KPIs and prepare reports for business and commercial reviews.
• Conduct post-launch and post-campaign analysis.
• Use data and insights to recommend improvements and make informed decisions.

Preferred candidate profile

5+ years in category management, product management, or commercial strategy