Category Manager - Beverages FMCG

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work model

Health and retirement benefits

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a commercially driven Category Manager focused on Beverages, based in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA. The role blends in-office collaboration with remote strategic work to shape the beverage portfolio and drive category profitability.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in FMCG beverage category management, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and deep market insight to craft go-to-market strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management or brand management within FMCG beverage.
• Proven ability to develop and implement category strategies.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with data analysis and forecasting experience.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Deep understanding of the beverage market, consumer trends, and competitive landscape.
• Experience with retail and wholesale distribution channels.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment.
• Reside in or be willing to commute to Polokwane, Limpopo.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for the beverage portfolio.
• Analyze market data, consumer behavior, and sales trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize product assortment.
• Manage relationships with key beverage suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring supply chain efficiency.
• Develop and implement promotional plans and pricing strategies to drive sales volume and profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and merchandising teams to ensure effective execution of category plans.
• Monitor category performance against KPIs and provide regular reports and recommendations.
• Identify and source new beverage products to enhance the category offering.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations and standards.
• Conduct competitive analysis to maintain a strong market position for the beverage category.

Skills

Data analysis

Financial forecasting

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Commercial acumen

Category management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Business Administration

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent entity within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking an astute and commercially driven Category Manager specializing in Beverages. This role, based in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA , is instrumental in shaping the beverage portfolio, driving category growth, and maximizing profitability through strategic insights and execution. You will be responsible for understanding consumer trends, managing supplier relationships, and developing effective go-to-market strategies for a diverse range of beverage products. This hybrid position allows for a blend of in-office collaboration and remote strategic work. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in category management within the FMCG space, with a strong focus on the beverage category.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for the beverage portfolio, aligning with overall company objectives.
• Analyze market data, consumer behavior, and sales trends to identify growth opportunities and optimize product assortment.
• Manage relationships with key beverage suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring supply chain efficiency.
• Develop and implement promotional plans and pricing strategies to drive sales volume and profitability.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and merchandising teams to ensure effective execution of category plans.
• Monitor category performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reports and recommendations.
• Identify and source new and innovative beverage products to enhance the category offering.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant industry regulations and standards.
• Conduct competitive analysis to maintain a strong market position for the beverage category.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management or brand management, with a significant focus on the FMCG beverage category .
• Proven ability to develop and implement successful category strategies.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with experience in data analysis and financial forecasting.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Deep understanding of the beverage market, consumer trends, and competitive landscape.
• Experience with retail and wholesale distribution channels.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment.
• Reside in or be willing to commute to Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA .

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary package, including performance-based incentives, and comprehensive health and retirement benefits. This hybrid role provides a balance of on-site engagement and remote flexibility. Opportunities for professional development and career growth within a leading FMCG organization are significant. You will have the opportunity to influence product strategy and shape the future of the beverage category for a well-known brand.