Category Manager.GM & Textile - Houseware, Housekeeping

Panda Retail Company – Savola Group; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Panda Retail Company – Savola Group in Jeddah is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead category strategies, optimize assortment, and drive profitability. You will work with internal teams and suppliers to deliver growth, while ensuring availability and customer satisfaction.

The role requires a degree and 5+ years in category management or related fields, with strong negotiation, analytical, and leadership skills to shape plans and execute initiatives across formats and channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in Category Management, Retail, FMCG, or related field.
• Previous experience as a Category Manager or in a similar commercial/category role is preferred.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Experience in data analysis, forecasting, and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Manage the overall performance, sales, profitability, and growth of assigned categories.
• Develop category strategies and translate them into actionable plans for sub-categories.
• Define category roles, including Private Label/Own Brand, in line with company strategy and market opportunities.
• Develop annual category growth and operating plans.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly category performance reviews and implement corrective actions when required.
• Identify assortment gaps, market opportunities, and new products, services, or business models.
• Plan and manage category pricing and profitability.
• Plan and manage category promotional activities and forecast accuracy.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Data analysis

Forecasting

Inventory management

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Commercial mindset

Customer-focused

Communication

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Job Purpose

The Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing category business plans using a customer-centric approach. The role manages the overall performance of assigned categories by developing and implementing strategies across product assortment, pricing, promotions, shelf presentation, supplier management, and inventory planning.

The role works closely with internal teams and suppliers to drive category sales, profitability, availability, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Performance

• Manage the overall performance, sales, profitability, and growth of assigned categories.
• Develop category strategies and translate them into actionable plans for each sub-category.
• Define category roles, including Private Label/Own Brand, in line with company strategy and market opportunities.
• Develop annual category growth and operating plans.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly category performance reviews and implement corrective actions when required.
• Identify assortment gaps, market opportunities, and new products, services, or business models.

Assortment & Customer Insights

• Develop and optimize product assortment based on customer needs, market trends, and category performance.
• Analyze customer behavior, market trends, sales performance, and product performance to support category decisions.
• Manage category rationalization and assortment optimization.
• Identify market gaps across formats, customer tiers, and regions.
• Design category dimensions and planograms according to customer needs and company strategy.

Pricing & Profitability

• Define and implement the pricing strategy for assigned categories.
• Set and review selling prices while managing category margins and profitability.
• Monitor category revenue, sales, margins, and overall financial performance.

Promotions & Forecasting

• Plan and manage category promotional activities.
• Manage item selection, promotional communication, forecasting, and sign-off processes.
• Conduct post-promotion reviews to evaluate performance and identify required actions.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and promotional compliance.

Supplier Management

• Build sustainable Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with key suppliers.
• Manage supplier communication and align on category plans, promotional activities, assortment, and growth opportunities.
• Support negotiations and maintain effective supplier/vendor relationships.

Inventory & Availability

• Improve inventory turns while maintaining appropriate product availability.
• Manage inventory-related decisions based on category performance and demand.
• Set and review Minimum Facing Quantity (MFQ) and Minimum Display Quantity (MDQ) to improve availability.
• Work closely with Supply Chain and Operations to improve stock efficiency and forecasting.

In-Store Execution

• Manage category resets and ensure effective implementation.
• Monitor planogram execution across stores.
• Apply Category Management (CATMAN) principles to improve category visibility, customer experience, and footfall.

People Management

• Set clear objectives and KPIs for direct reports and regularly review their performance.
• Identify training and development needs and provide coaching and support.
• Support employee development, engagement, and performance.
• Ensure appropriate team resources are available to deliver category objectives.

Skills Description

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, preferably within Category Management, Retail, FMCG, Commercial, Buying, or a related field.
• Previous experience as a Category Manager or in a similar commercial/category role is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Strong understanding of category management, sales, marketing, pricing, and promotions.
• Good understanding of data analysis, forecasting, and inventory management.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Commercial and customer-focused mindset.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Leadership and people management capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.