Category Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Hybrid work model

Medical and retirement benefits

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton seeks a strategic Category Manager to oversee FMCG product categories, manage assortments, pricing, and promotions, and drive profitability through data-driven decisions.

You will partner with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams, analyze market trends, and lead supplier negotiations to grow key categories in a hybrid work setup. The role requires 5+ years in category or product management and a Bachelor’s degree; MBA preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.
• MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of category/PM experience in FMCG.
• Strong analytical, financial and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Manage product assortment, lifecycle, and innovation pipeline for assigned categories.
• Analyze category performance, market trends, and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities.
• Optimize pricing and promotional strategies to drive sales and margin.
• Collaborate with suppliers to negotiate terms and drive supplier performance.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams for effective execution.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Strategic planning

Supplier management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

MBA preferred

Tools

Market data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and analytical Category Manager to oversee and grow specific product categories within their FMCG portfolio, based in Sandton with a hybrid work arrangement. This pivotal role involves developing and implementing category strategies, managing product assortments, pricing, and promotions to maximize sales and profitability. You will leverage market insights, consumer data, and supplier relationships to drive category performance. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned professional to shape the future of key product segments within a leading FMCG organization, balancing strategic planning with operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
• Manage product assortment, lifecycle, and innovation pipeline for assigned categories.
• Analyze category performance, market trends, and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities.
• Optimize pricing and promotional strategies to drive sales and margin.
• Collaborate with suppliers to negotiate terms, secure favorable product offerings, and drive supplier performance.
• Work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure effective category execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in category management or product management within the FMCG industry.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful category strategies.
• Strong analytical, financial, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management capabilities.
• Proficiency in market data analysis tools and retail insights platforms.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package with performance-based bonuses.
• Hybrid work model offering work-life balance and flexibility.
• Comprehensive medical, retirement, and other employee benefits.
• Significant opportunities for career growth and leadership development.
• Influence over major product categories within a leading FMCG company.