Category Manager

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Career development

Flexible work options

East London office

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a seasoned Category Manager for our FMCG client in East London. The role focuses on category growth through strategic assortment, pricing, and promotions, backed by deep market and consumer analysis.

You will lead cross-functional initiatives with sales, marketing, and operations, manage supplier relationships, and monitor performance against key metrics, presenting insights to senior management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in Category Management or FMCG roles.
• Proven ability to develop and implement category strategies.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen; proficient in data analysis.
• Excellent understanding of consumer insights and retail dynamics.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Admin, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop category strategies including assortment optimization, pricing, and promotions.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior to spot opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships for competitive sourcing and product introductions.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations to execute plans.
• Monitor KPIs and adjust strategies to drive profitable growth.
• Present category reviews and recommendations to senior management.

Skills

Analytical

Financial acumen

Negotiation

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing

Tools

Excel

Job description

Our client, a major player in the FMCG sector, is seeking an experienced and strategic Category Manager to drive the growth and profitability of specific product categories within their portfolio, based in East London . This role involves analyzing market trends, consumer insights, and competitive landscapes to develop and execute effective category strategies, including assortment planning, pricing, and promotional activities. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of category management principles, and a proven ability to collaborate with cross‑functional teams to achieve business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies, including assortment optimization, pricing, and promotional planning, for assigned FMCG categories .
• Conduct in-depth analysis of sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities and threats.
• Manage relationships with suppliers to ensure competitive sourcing and effective product introductions.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure successful execution of category plans.
• Monitor category performance against key metrics and adjust strategies as needed to drive profitable growth.
• Present category reviews and strategic recommendations to senior management.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Category Management, Brand Management, or a related role within the FMCG industry .
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful category strategies that drive sales and market share.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, with proficiency in data analysis tools.
• Excellent understanding of consumer insights, market dynamics, and retail execution.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance‑related bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical, retirement, and other insurance benefits.
• Opportunities for career advancement and professional development.
• Flexible work arrangements to support work‑life balance.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment within the East London office.