Category Manager

Service Solutions; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Category Manager to drive category growth through strategic solutions. The successful candidate will have a BComm degree and a minimum of 5 years' experience in a customer-facing role within the FMCG environment. Proficiency in MS Excel, Power BI, and experience with category management strategies are crucial. This role requires strong analytical skills, effective communication, and the ability to inspire change.

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in Category Management and shopper/consumer/market insights.
• Strong financial acumen and data interpretation skills.
• Revenue Growth Management (RGM) experience within the CPG industry (advantageous).
• Demonstrated leadership with a results-driven approach.
• Self-starter with high initiative, able to drive projects independently under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead Shopper & Category Insights Leadership.
• Contribute to Annual Planning.
• Develop Pricing Strategy.
• Analyze Promotion Effectiveness.
• Create Merchandising Strategy.

Skills

Category Management

Data Interpretation

Revenue Growth Management

Influencing Skills

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Time Management

Education

BComm Degree or suitable tertiary qualification

Tools

MS Excel

Power BI

Circana

Nielsen

DotActiv

Job description

Overview

FMCG Retail – Cape Town | International Market leader is seeking to employ a Category Manager to join their ever growing team.

Position Purpose

The Category & Shopper Marketing Team aims to be a trusted expert group central to driving both short-term and long-term category growth in confectionery by providing strategic solutions rooted in a deep understanding of consumer and shopper needs. The team assists Revenue Growth Management (RGM) initiatives, including strategic pricing and promotional analysis, to maximize revenue, profitability, and market share. By leveraging data-driven insights and advanced analytical tools like MS Excel, Power BI, and Circana / Nielsen, the team optimizes category strategies and collaborates cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Finance to ensure alignment with business goals. With a results-oriented approach, the team drives innovation, influences key stakeholders, and ensures sustainable growth through effective pricing, promotion, and category management strategies.

Responsibilities

• Shopper & Category Insights Leadership
• Cross-Functional Projects
• Annual Planning Contribution
• Pricing Strategy
• Promotion Effectiveness
• Gross to Net Spend Analysis
• Merchandising Strategy

Requirements

• Proven expertise in Category Management and shopper / consumer / market insights.
• Strong financial acumen and data interpretation skills.
• Revenue Growth Management (RGM) experience within the CPG industry (advantageous).
• Deep understanding of competitor dynamics, brand strategies, and category growth drivers.
• Demonstrated leadership with a results-driven approach.
• Effective communicator with the ability to influence at all levels, internally and externally.
• Ability to inspire change and create a new vision within the sales organization.
• Lead complex quantitative analyses to drive decision-making.
• Ability to develop customized category plans and evaluate them in-store.
• Strong time management and organizational skills to manage competing priorities.
• Proven ability to work across departments and collaborate effectively.
• Self-starter with high initiative, able to drive projects independently under pressure.

Qualifications / experience

• BComm Degree or suitable tertiary qualification
• Previous experience in a customer-facing Category Management role, FMCG environment (minimum 5 years)
• Prerequisites include advanced skills & working knowledge of external market data software and space planning software (DotActiv)
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, Power BI, Circana, and Nielsen