Assistant Category Manager

RCL FOODS; Durban; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer in Westville is looking for an Assistant Category Manager to join their Customer Marketing Team. This role requires a degree or diploma in Marketing or Business Management and 2-3 years of relevant experience. The successful candidate will support the Category Manager in driving category growth, managing projects, and analyzing market data to enhance category performance. A valid driver's license is essential, along with strong analytical and project management skills.

Qualifications

• A Degree or Diploma in Marketing or Business Management.
• 2 to 3 years relevant experience in a similar environment.
• Valid Code EB drivers’ license.

Responsibilities

• Support the Category Manager to drive category growth.
• Administer and manage projects for category performance.
• Engage with internal stakeholders for execution excellence.
• Support annual business planning through data analysis.
• Assist in the development of new product launch plans.

Skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Market analysis

Education

Degree or Diploma in Marketing or Business Management

Job description

Closing Date 2026/01/11

Reference Number RCL251212-4

Company RCL Foods

Job Title Assistant Category Manager

Functions Customer Marketing

Job Type Classification Permanent

Location - Town / City Westville

Location - Province KwaZulu-Natal

Location - Country South Africa

Job Description

RCL FOODS is a deeply rooted South African food manufacturer that produces some of the country’s most-loved brands. At the heart of our culture and strategy is our Purpose – WE GROW WHAT MATTERS – which encapsulates our belief in collectively doing that little more to create a positive impact that matters. Visit our website at: www.rclfoods.com

We have an opportunity for an Assistant Category Manager within our Customer Marketing Team, supporting the Pies category. The role will be based in Westville and report to the Category Manager.

RCL FOODS Entrusts The Assistant Category Manager To

• Support the Category Manager to drive category growth
• Administer and manage projects, analytics, and Go-To-Market initiatives to achieve category volume and profit objectives, as assigned
• Assist in gathering, compiling, and analysing customer, category, shopper, and channel performance, trends, and competitive intelligence.
• Engage with key internal stakeholders to ensure execution excellence through all key Demand Functions.

Minimum Requirements

• A Degree or Diploma in Marketing or Business Management (3 years).
• 2 to 3 years relevant experience in a similar environment.
• Valid Code EB drivers’ license.

Category Planning

• Support the Category Manager in annual business planning process through data analysis, insights and identification of growth opportunities.
• Support the development of proposals and recommendations for customers in executing category management projects, including, NRM (Net Revenue Management) initiatives
• Liaise with the operations team to ensure smooth implementation of initiatives.

Category Management

• Support the category measure and review category performance, margins and customer profitability.
• Analyse shelf health, pricing data, product availability and visibility, work Category Manager to consolidate feedback into actionable plans for the customer team to implement.
• Execute brand standards (brand DNA) and support development.
• Conduct periodic reviews of planograms and ranging to ensure maximised shelf efficiency.
• Continuous monitoring of competitor landscape.
• Support in preparation and analysis of category reviews for Customers including assortment analysis, category performance and ranging

Innovation & Shopper Support

• Assist the Category Manager in development of new product launch plans
• Support the preparation of Category stories and Trade presentations
• Execute new product launch plans including tracking
• Ensure all marketing material is within brand CI across the brands
• Build and deliver always on digital shopper comms to support shopper conversion
• Ensure that critical customer information is available to the customer team

Information Analysis, Management And Reporting

• Analyse and interpret key data to provide feedback on category performance and drive actions
• Assist in the compilation of business reports, presentations and category performance analysis (incl. causes of deviation) with an eye on NRM practices.

Financial Management

• Support in management of the customer marketing spend budgets within agreed limits and ensure that all initiatives are shown to be commercially sound
• Execute specific elements of the NRM Program, e.g. promo analysis as per agreed targets
• Understand key drivers of profitability and revenue growth to assist in achievement of targets

KPI’s

• Business growth targets – volume, revenue and profit
• Execution of customer plans and specific projects KPIs
• Digital and social metrics and measurements
• Shelf space and product availability
• Accuracy of reporting