Category Manager - Beverages FMCG

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

Medical aid and retirement benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Scenic Paarl region

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager for Beverages based in Paarl, Western Cape. Drive category growth, optimize assortment and pricing, and develop compelling strategies to boost market share and profitability.

You will analyze market trends and consumer insights, manage supplier relationships, and collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain to ensure category success. Hybrid work in Paarl region supported.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 4–6 years in category management/brand management in FMCG beverages.
• Proven ability to develop and execute category growth strategies.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret market data and translate insights.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to drive beverages sales, market share, and profitability.
• Analyze market trends, competitor activities, and consumer insights within beverages.
• Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotions; negotiate favorable supplier terms.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Interpersonal skills

MS Office Suite

Category management software

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business Admin

Related field experience

Tools

MS Office Suite

Category management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking a strategic and market-savvy Category Manager specializing in the Beverages category. Based in the heart of the winelands, Paarl, Western Cape , this role is crucial for driving category growth, optimizing product assortments, and developing compelling strategies that enhance market share and profitability. You will be responsible for analyzing market trends, understanding consumer behavior, managing supplier relationships, and working closely with internal teams, including sales, marketing, and supply chain, to ensure category success. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of the FMCG beverage market, strong analytical skills, and a proven ability to develop and execute category strategies that resonate with consumers and drive commercial outcomes. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of a key product category for a respected company.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies to drive sales volume, market share, and profitability for beverages.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of market trends, competitor activities, and consumer insights within the beverage category.
• Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotional plans to maximize category performance.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers and negotiate favorable terms.
• Collaborate with the sales team to ensure effective in-store execution and merchandising.
• Work with the marketing team to develop and launch new products and campaigns.
• Monitor category performance against KPIs and provide regular reporting and recommendations to senior management.
• Identify opportunities for category innovation and expansion.
• Ensure alignment of category strategies with overall business objectives.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the evolving FMCG beverage landscape.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4-6 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a related role within the FMCG sector, with a focus on beverages.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing category growth strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in category management software and MS Office Suite.
• A keen understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics in the beverage sector.
• Ability to work collaboratively across different departments.
• Must be located in or willing to commute to Paarl, Western Cape .
• Experience with hybrid work models and remote collaboration tools is beneficial.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development within the company.
• Chance to lead and innovate within a dynamic beverage category.
• Hybrid work flexibility to support work-life balance.
• A supportive team environment in the scenic Paarl region.
• Direct influence on product strategy and market success in the FMCG beverage space.