Category Manager - Beverages FMCG

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Health plan

Retirement plan

Staff discounts

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead the beverage portfolio within the FMCG sector. You will drive category growth, optimize product assortment, and manage supplier relationships to ensure profitable performance.

This strategic role collaborates with sales, marketing, and operations to shape beverage offerings. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in category or brand management, strong analytical and negotiation skills, and a deep

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in category management, brand management, or strategic sourcing in FMCG beverages.
• Proven track record of driving category growth and profitability through strategic initiatives.
• Strong analytical, financial, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent understanding of the Western Cape retail/wholesale landscape.
• Experience managing complex projects and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to drive sales, volume, and profitability for the beverage portfolio.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities and gaps.
• Manage supplier relationships including contracts, pricing, and promotional terms.
• Optimize product assortment, planograms, and inventory levels to maximize sales and minimize waste.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales to develop and execute integrated GTM plans and promotions.
• Monitor KPI performance and provide regular reports and recommendations to senior leadership.

Skills

Category management

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Brand management

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA (advantage)

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for an experienced Category Manager to lead their beverage portfolio within the FMCG sector in Stellenbosch, Western Cape . This strategic role is responsible for driving category growth, optimizing product assortment, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring profitable performance. You will leverage market insights and analytical expertise to shape the future of their beverage offerings, working closely with sales, marketing, and operations teams. This is a prime opportunity for a commercially astute individual to make a significant impact on product strategy and market presence in one of South Africa's most renowned regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies to drive sales volume and profitability for the beverage portfolio.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities and category gaps.
• Manage supplier relationships, including negotiation of contracts, pricing, and promotional terms.
• Optimize product assortment, planograms, and inventory levels to maximize sales and minimize waste.
• Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop and execute integrated go-to-market plans and promotions.
• Monitor category performance against KPIs, providing regular reports and actionable recommendations to senior leadership.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in category management, brand management, or strategic sourcing, preferably in the FMCG beverage sector.
• Proven track record of driving category growth and profitability through strategic initiatives.
• Strong analytical, financial, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent understanding of the retail and wholesale landscape in the Western Cape.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field; MBA is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary with significant performance-based bonus potential.
• Opportunities for international travel and professional development.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical aid and retirement plan.
• Generous staff discounts on company products.
• A dynamic and forward-thinking work environment within a leading FMCG organization.