Category Manager - Consumer Goods

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement plan

Extensive annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager for a fully remote role, based conceptually in Polokwane, Limpopo. You will develop category strategies, optimize assortments, and manage supplier relationships to drive profitability.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in FMCG category or brand management, strong data analysis skills, and proven remote collaboration capabilities. The role emphasizes growth, pricing strategies, and cross-functional teamwork to enhance market share.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a related role within the FMCG industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing product categories, driving sales, and achieving profitability targets.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with expertise in data analysis and interpretation (e.g., sales data, market share analysis).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Proficiency in category management software, CRM systems, and data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies that align with company objectives and market dynamics.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities and optimize product assortment.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and ensure the timely and cost-effective sourcing of products.
• Develop and execute promotional plans and pricing strategies to drive sales and profitability within the category.
• Monitor category performance against key metrics, providing regular reports and actionable insights to senior management.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and operations, to ensure successful execution of category plans.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging consumer needs to maintain a competitive edge.
• Identify and implement strategies for product innovation and assortment expansion within the category.
• Ensure category strategies contribute to overall company profitability and market share growth.

Skills

Category management

Data analysis

Negotiation

Communication

Remote work

Presentation skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

MBA (optional)

Tools

CRM systems

Category management software

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the FMCG sector, is seeking a strategic and data-driven Category Manager to oversee a key product category. This is a fully remote position, ideal for an experienced professional looking to drive category growth and profitability from anywhere. Based conceptually within Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA , you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, optimizing product assortments, managing supplier relationships, and analyzing market trends to maximize performance. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of category management principles, strong analytical skills, and a proven ability to collaborate effectively in a remote setting. This role is critical to shaping our product offerings and driving consumer choice.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies that align with company objectives and market dynamics.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior to identify growth opportunities and optimize product assortment.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and ensure the timely and cost-effective sourcing of products.
• Develop and execute promotional plans and pricing strategies to drive sales and profitability within the category.
• Monitor category performance against key metrics, providing regular reports and actionable insights to senior management.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and operations, to ensure successful execution of category plans.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, competitor activities, and emerging consumer needs to maintain a competitive edge.
• Identify and implement strategies for product innovation and assortment expansion within the category.
• Ensure category strategies contribute to overall company profitability and market share growth.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a related role within the FMCG industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing product categories, driving sales, and achieving profitability targets.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with expertise in data analysis and interpretation (e.g., sales data, market share analysis).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote team environment.
• Proficiency in category management software, CRM systems, and data analysis tools.
• A deep understanding of retail operations and consumer purchasing behavior.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Must be eligible to work remotely and have a reliable internet connection.

Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary package and the significant advantage of being fully remote, providing unparalleled flexibility. Our client provides a robust health and wellness program, including medical aid and access to virtual wellness resources. Opportunities for professional development, including advanced training and industry certifications, are readily available. You will be part of an innovative and forward-thinking organization, contributing directly to business success. We also offer a generous retirement plan and extensive annual leave, supporting a healthy work-life balance.