Category Manager - Beverages

Placements24; Waukee (IA); Presencial; USD 55.000 - 91.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Competitive remuneration with bonuses

Medical and retirement benefits

Generous leave policy

Leadership training & development

Challenging, rewarding role

Exposure to diverse products in Paarl

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 invites applications for a Senior Category Manager to lead the beverage portfolio in Paarl, Western Cape. You will shape the category strategy, optimize assortment, pricing, and promotions, and drive growth through insights and retailer partnerships.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in FMCG category or brand management with beverage experience, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and a proven ability to partner with marketing, sales, and suppliers.

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing or related field; Master's preferred.
• 8+ years in category/brand management within FMCG, beverages a plus.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with retail data (Nielsen/IRI) and MS Office.

Responsabilidades

• Develop and implement category plans to hit sales, profit, and market share targets.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and consumer behavior for growth.
• Manage supplier relationships including pricing and promotions.
• Optimize assortment, planograms, and shelf space for profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing/sales on brand campaigns and in-store execution.
• Monitor KPIs and report to senior management; identify new product opportunities.

Conocimientos

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis tools (Nielsen/IRI)

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Business or Marketing

Master's degree advantageous

Descripción del empleo

About the Role Our client, a prominent force in the FMCG sector, is actively seeking a strategic and results-oriented Category Manager to oversee their beverage portfolio, based in Paarl, Western Cape . This senior position is critical for driving category growth, profitability, and market share through expert product assortment, pricing strategies, and promotional planning. You will be responsible for leveraging consumer insights and market data to make informed decisions that enhance our client's competitive edge. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of a key product category within a dynamic and forward-thinking organization. The ideal candidate will possess a keen understanding of the beverage market, strong negotiation skills, and a proven ability to build successful brand partnerships. We are looking for an individual who is passionate about the FMCG landscape and eager to contribute to significant business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic category plans to achieve sales, profit, and market share targets for the beverage portfolio.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships, including negotiation of terms, pricing, and promotional activities.
• Optimize product assortment, planograms, and shelf space allocation to maximize sales and profitability.
• Develop and execute effective pricing and promotional strategies for the category.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to create compelling brand campaigns and ensure effective in-store execution.
• Monitor category performance, analyze sales data, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management.
• Identify new product opportunities and work with the product development team on innovation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations and company policies.
• Present category strategies and performance reviews to key stakeholders.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; a Master's degree is advantageous.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a similar role within the FMCG industry , with specific experience in beverages.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing a product category.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and MS Office Suite.
• Experience with retail data analysis (e.g., Nielsen, IRI).
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Paarl, Western Cape region.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package with performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Generous leave policy.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and leadership training.
• A challenging and rewarding role within a respected industry leader.
• Exposure to a dynamic and diverse product range in Paarl .