Category Manager - Beverages

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager for a leading FMCG beverages portfolio in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will develop category strategies, manage supplier relationships, optimize assortment and placement, and drive growth, profitability and market share in a hybrid work arrangement.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Business Administration, at least 6 years in category/brand management in FMCG beverages, strong analytics (Nielsen/IRI), negotiation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration or related field.
• 6+ years in category/brand management within FMCG beverages.
• Proven success growing category profitability and market share.
• Strong data interpretation and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to achieve sales, market share and profitability targets for beverages.
• Conduct market and consumer analysis to identify trends and opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships, pricing and promotions.
• Optimize assortment, ranging and merchandising to maximise sales.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing and operations to execute category plans.
• Monitor performance and prepare reports with actionable insights.
• Drive category P&L management and identify new product opportunities.
• Stay updated on competitor activities and industry trends.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Stakeholder management

Excel

Retail operations

Bev/Retail category experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Business Administration

Tools

Nielsen/IRI data

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, is seeking a strategic and analytically adept Category Manager to join their team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is pivotal in driving category growth, profitability, and market share for a specific range of beverage products. You will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring optimal product assortment and placement. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, providing flexibility while ensuring crucial market and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate will possess a keen understanding of consumer behavior, market dynamics, and retail operations within the FMCG beverage sector. This is an exciting opportunity to influence product strategy and commercial success for a dynamic portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to achieve sales, market share, and profitability targets for assigned beverage categories.
• Conduct comprehensive market and consumer analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats.
• Manage supplier relationships, including negotiation of terms, pricing, and promotional activities.
• Optimize product assortment, ranging, and merchandising strategies to maximize sales and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure successful execution of category plans.
• Monitor category performance, analyze sales data, and prepare reports with actionable insights and recommendations.
• Identify new product opportunities and manage the product lifecycle for the category.
• Stay abreast of competitor activities and industry trends to maintain a competitive edge.
• Ensure effective management of promotional budgets and category P&L.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in category management, brand management, or related roles within the FMCG industry , with a focus on beverages.
• Demonstrated success in driving category growth and profitability.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis and interpretation (e.g., Nielsen/IRI data).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships and P&L responsibilities.
• Understanding of retail operations and merchandising principles.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid model, balancing remote tasks with in-person meetings and market visits in Richards Bay and surrounding areas.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunity to manage a key category for a leading FMCG company.
• Hybrid work model promoting work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Exposure to diverse product lines and market dynamics.
• Employee wellness programs.