Category Manager - Clean Fitness

Wellness Warehouse; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellness Warehouse in Cape Town is seeking a Category Manager to optimize product visibility and customer experience across digital and in-store channels. The ideal candidate will build innovative product pipelines and leverage data analytics to manage category performance. With a strong commercial acumen and experience in FMCG retail, you will enhance sustainability practices within the category. A tertiary qualification in retail or commercial fields is advantageous, alongside excellent negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be brand ambassadors.
• Proven track record of delivering sales growth, margin improvement, and stock optimisation.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing category P&L.
• 3+ years in FMCG retail or related environments as a Category Manager/Buyer or Junior Buyer.

Responsibilities

• Ensure alignment of category strategy across in-store and digital channels.
• Build a robust pipeline of new product development aligned to trends.
• Drive data analytics for informed decision-making.
• Define and manage category range architecture.
• Embed sustainability principles into sourcing and supplier selection.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Analytical capability

Negotiation skills

Trend analysis

Education

Tertiary Retail / Commercial (e.g., Bcom)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Cape Town, South Africa | Posted on 28/04/2026

• E nsure alignment of category strategy acrossin-store and digital channels, optimising product visibility, conversion, andcustomer experience online
• Develop and executea forward-looking category strategy aligned to business objectives andmarket opportunities
• Identify gapsthrough local and global trend analysis, translating insights intoactionable innovation pipelines
• Define clearcategory positioning, ensuring strong differentiation in clean fitness andwellness
• Collaborate closelywith marketing, planning, supply chain, and store operations to ensureseamless execution of category strategy
• Monthly selection of targeted promotions to drivesales, highlight innovation anddrive customer acquisition

Innovation and ProductIntegrity

• Build a robust pipeline of new productdevelopment aligned to global wellness and fitness trends
• Ensure all products comply with ingredientpolicies, regulatory standards, and sustainability goals
• Position innovation clearly within thecategory to maximise visibility and customer adoption

Data and analysis

• Drive weekly and monthly trade reviews, analysingperformance across sales, margin, stock turn, and sell-through to identifyrisks and opportunities
• Use data analytics to drive informeddecision-making across all aspects of the category
• Own and manage the full category P&L includingsales, margin, markdown, and stock turn.
• Drive optimal price-volume mix and grossmargin return on investment (GMROI)
• Develop and maintain strong, sustainablesupplier partnerships
• Negotiate favourable trade terms, pricing,and promotional support
• Collaborate with suppliers on joint businessplans and innovation pipelines

In-store Execution and Customer Experience

• Define and manage category range architecture(core, seasonal, innovation), ensuring optimal SKU productivity and lifecyclemanagement through structured range reviews
• Oversee planograms, space allocation, andin-store communication
• Ensure consistent and compelling execution ofcategory strategy across all stores
• Workclosely with store teams to enhance customer education and engagement

Sustainability and Brand Alignment

• Embed sustainability principles into sourcing, packaging and supplierselection
• Ensure the category reflects the brands commitment to clean, ethical,and transparent products

Requirements

• Tertiary Retail / Commercial(E.g. Bcom) and/or professional qualification advantageous.
• Candidates must be brand ambassadors.
• Proven track record of delivering sales growth, margin improvement,and stock optimisation
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing category P&L
• Advanced analytical capability using excel and data-drivendecision-making skills
• Experience working with suppliers and negotiating trade terms
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, trend-driven environment
• 3 + years in FMCG retailor other related working environments as a Category Manager/ Buyer or Juniorbuyer