Category Manager

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Career growth opportunities

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager to lead FMCG category strategies on a fully remote team across South Africa, including oversight of regions such as Klerksdorp. The role emphasizes growth, assortment optimization, and market competitiveness while coordinating with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams.

The ideal candidate will have 6+ years in category management, strong analytics, and proven remote leadership capabilities to drive results from a distance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of category management experience in FMCG.
• Proven success in developing category strategies that delivered growth.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Experience with market data tools and ERP systems; comfortable working remotely.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to drive sales and market share.
• Analyze category performance, consumer behavior, and trends for assortment optimization.
• Manage product lifecycle including ranging, pricing, promotions, and exits for underperforming SKUs.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing and supply chain to execute category plans.
• Build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders for collaboration.
• Monitor competitive landscape and adjust strategies to stay competitive.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Remote leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

Tools

ERP systems

Market data tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and insightful Category Manager to join their fully remote team, overseeing key product categories within the FMCG space. This role is essential for driving category growth, optimizing product assortment, and ensuring market competitiveness across South Africa, with significant strategic oversight impacting regions like Klerksdorp . You will be responsible for understanding consumer needs, analyzing market trends, and developing category strategies that align with business objectives. The ideal candidate is a commercially astute individual with a strong background in category management, excellent analytical capabilities, and the ability to lead from a distance, shaping the future of product offerings in a dynamic market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and market share growth for assigned FMCG categories.
• Analyze category performance, consumer behavior, and market trends to identify opportunities for assortment optimization and product innovation.
• Manage product lifecycle, including ranging, pricing, promotions, and exit strategies for underperforming SKUs.
• Collaborate closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure effective execution of category plans.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to drive collaborative initiatives.
• Monitor competitive landscape and adjust category strategies accordingly to maintain a competitive edge.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in category management , preferably within the FMCG industry .
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing effective category strategies that resulted in measurable growth.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with expertise in data analysis and interpretation.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in market data analysis tools and ERP systems, and comfort working in a remote environment .

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to shape product strategy for key FMCG categories nationally.
• Significant professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Flexible remote working arrangement providing excellent work-life integration.
• Be part of a dynamic and innovative team contributing to the success of a leading FMCG organization .