Category Specialist

PakWheels.com; Lahore; On-site; PKR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

PakWheels.com in Lahore is seeking a Category Specialist to lead commercial management of the automotive consumables portfolio across PakWheels Service Centers, driving category growth through strategic sourcing, pricing, and inventory optimization.

You will build supplier partnerships, define assortment and promotions, monitor margins and stock turnover, and support new service center launches with strong procurement processes and retail execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Retail Procurement management, or a related field.
• 4-5 years of experience in category management, procurement, commercial operations, or retail supply chain, preferably in automotive aftermarket, lubricants, auto parts, or organized retail.
• Strong commercial negotiation, vendor management, pricing, merchandising, and inventory management skills with knowledge of demand planning and retail operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP/POS systems with strong analytical and stakeholder management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Own the category strategy for automotive consumables, including lubricants, filters, batteries, brake parts, accessories, and car care products, to drive sales, gross margins, and category performance.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships by identifying, evaluating, negotiating, and managing vendors, including Joint Business Plans (JBPs), commercial agreements, rebates, promotional support, and pricing strategies.
• Define product assortment, pricing, promotions, and merchandising standards, ensuring optimal product placement, shelf availability, and retail execution across all Service Centers.
• Lead procurement and inventory planning through demand forecasting, replenishment planning, and stock optimization, general inventory management, minimizing stock-outs, excess inventory, and product ageing.
• Monitor category sales, gross margins, inventory turnover, purchase price variance, and supplier performance, providing commercial insights and recommendations to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Support new Service Center launches through assortment planning, inventory setup, supplier onboarding, and product availability while continuously improving procurement processes, inventory controls, and operational standards.

Skills

Category management

Procurement

Vendor management

Pricing

Merchandising

Inventory management

Demand forecasting

ERP/POS systems

Microsoft Excel

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or Retail Procurement

Tools

ERP/POS systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Description

The Category Specialist will lead the commercial management of the product portfolio across PakWheels Service Centers by driving category growth, strategic sourcing, pricing, inventory optimization, and supplier partnerships. The role is responsible for ensuring product availability, maximizing category profitability, and delivering an efficient retail experience through effective procurement, merchandising, and inventory management.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the category strategy for automotive consumables, including lubricants, filters, batteries, brake parts, accessories, and car care products, to drive sales, gross margins, and category performance.
• Develop strategic supplier partnerships by identifying, evaluating, negotiating, and managing vendors, including Joint Business Plans (JBPs), commercial agreements, rebates, promotional support, and pricing strategies.
• Define product assortment, pricing, promotions, and merchandising standards, ensuring optimal product placement, shelf availability, and retail execution across all Service Centers.
• Lead procurement and inventory planning through demand forecasting, replenishment planning, and stock optimization, general inventory management, minimizing stock-outs, excess inventory, and product ageing.
• Monitor category sales, gross margins, inventory turnover, purchase price variance, and supplier performance, providing commercial insights and recommendations to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Support new Service Center launches through assortment planning, inventory setup, supplier onboarding, and product availability while continuously improving procurement processes, inventory controls, and operational standards.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Retail Procurement management, or a related field.
• 4-5 years of experience in category management, procurement, commercial operations, or retail supply chain, preferably in the automotive aftermarket, lubricants, auto parts, or organized retail industry.
• Strong commercial negotiation, vendor management, pricing, merchandising, and inventory management skills with sound knowledge of demand planning and retail operations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP/POS systems with strong analytical and stakeholder management capabilities.

At PakWheels, we take pride in fostering a dynamic and innovative workplace culture that values collaboration and growth. Since 2003, PakWheels.com has transformed the automobile industry in Pakistan, helping millions of Pakistanis buy, sell, and maintain their vehicles. By joining PakWheels, you'll be part of a mission to revolutionize the automobile landscape. Our environment thrives on creativity, teamwork, and forward-thinking ideas.