Bev Category Lead: Growth, Strategy & Private Label Impact

Placements24; Redmond (WA); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus incentives

Health benefits

Staff discount

Career progression

Dynamic environment

Influence category

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Category Manager for a leading South African supermarket in Welkom to own the beverage category end-to-end, from assortment planning to promotions. You will analyze trends, negotiate with suppliers, and drive profitability while coordinating with marketing and store teams to ensure optimal execution.

The role requires 5+ years in FMCG category management with beverage focus, strong Excel skills, and a proven track record in growing category share.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Retail Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in category management or a similar role within FMCG or retail, beverage focus.
• Proven success in driving category growth, profitability, and market share.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Excellent analytical and data interpretation skills, with proficiency in retail analytics tools.
• Solid understanding of merchandising principles and in-store execution strategies.
• Effective communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Based in or willing to relocate to Welkom, Free State.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a compelling category strategy for all beverage products, aligned with overall company objectives and consumer demand.
• Manage supplier relationships, including negotiation of terms, pricing, and promotional support to maximize category profitability.
• Optimize product assortment and planograms to ensure a competitive and appealing offering that meets customer needs.
• Analyze sales performance, market data, and competitor activities to identify trends, opportunities, and challenges within the beverage category.
• Plan and execute effective promotional campaigns and in-store merchandising initiatives to drive sales volume and market share.
• Ensure optimal stock levels and manage inventory effectively to minimize stock-outs and reduce waste.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations, and store teams to ensure seamless execution of category plans.
• Monitor category financial performance, including sales, margin, and promotional spend, providing regular reports and insights.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, new product introductions, and innovations within the beverage market.
• Identify opportunities for private label development within the beverage category.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Retail Management

Tools

Retail analytics tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Category Manager for a leading South African supermarket in Welkom to own the beverage category end-to-end, from assortment planning to promotions. You will analyze trends, negotiate with suppliers, and drive profitability while coordinating with marketing and store teams to ensure optimal execution.

The role requires 5+ years in FMCG category management with beverage focus, strong Excel skills, and a proven track record in growing category share.