Category Manager - Beverages (FMCG)

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work flexibility

Health benefits

Retirement fund participation

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Category Manager for Beverages in South Africa. This role is remote with occasional travel to Centurion, Gauteng, to collaborate with the central hub and key stakeholders.

You will lead the beverage category strategy, optimize assortment, pricing, promotions, and supplier relations to drive growth and profitability. The ideal candidate brings 6+ years in FMCG beverage category management, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and in-depth knowledge of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Marketing or related field required.
• MBA is a plus.
• Minimum 6 years in category management, FMCG beverage sector preferred.
• Proven track record in growing category profitability.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and negotiation skills.
• Solid knowledge of SA beverage market and retail dynamics.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder influence abilities.
• Ability to work remotely and travel occasionally to Centurion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to grow beverage sales and market share.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitive activity.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and placement.
• Negotiate favorable supplier terms and ensure product availability.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and supply chain on launches and ongoing management.
• Monitor performance, produce reports, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Manage beverage category P&L and profitability targets.
• Identify new business opportunities within beverages and stay updated on industry innovations.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder influence

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field

MBA

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a distinguished leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, is on the lookout for an experienced and strategic Category Manager specializing in Beverages to join their progressive team. This role, based remotely but with occasional travel requirements to Centurion, Gauteng , will be responsible for driving the growth and profitability of the beverage category. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the beverage market, consumer trends, and retail dynamics. You will develop and execute category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with internal teams to ensure the successful performance of the beverage portfolio. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a key category for a major player in the FMCG space. We seek a candidate with exceptional analytical skills and a passion for consumer products. The position requires a proactive approach and the ability to thrive in a remote work setting, maintaining strong connections with the central hub in Centurion .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies to drive sales and market share growth for the beverage portfolio.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and threats.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and placement strategies for the beverage category.
• Negotiate effectively with suppliers to secure favorable terms and ensure product availability.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product launches and ongoing category management.
• Monitor category performance, develop reports, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Manage the category P&L, ensuring profitability targets are met.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities within the beverage segment.
• Stay abreast of industry innovations and best practices in category management.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• An MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in category management, preferably within the FMCG beverage sector .
• Proven track record of driving category growth and profitability.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and negotiation skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the South African beverage market and consumer trends.
• Excellent understanding of retail and supply chain operations.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and MS Office Suite.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to work independently in a remote setting.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to Centurion, Gauteng , for key meetings and team sessions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with performance-based incentives.
• Remote work flexibility.
• Opportunity to lead and shape a key category in a leading FMCG company.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Retirement fund participation.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Generous annual leave.
• A dynamic and supportive virtual team environment.
• Exposure to innovation in the beverage industry.
• Company-provided equipment for remote work.