Category Manager (Ethical Product)

Clicks Group Limited; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail firm based in Cape Town is seeking a Category Manager to support its Retail Business Development division. The successful candidate will be responsible for achieving financial targets, managing vendor relationships, and developing strategic category operating plans. Ideal applicants will possess a diploma in Purchasing, Retail, or related fields, along with 2-5 years of relevant experience in retail buying. This is a permanent role with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years’ experience in Retail Buying is essential.
• 2-5 years’ experience in FMCG category is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a category operating plan.
• Negotiate multi-category trading terms and promotional spend.
• Ensure vendor performance and first to market product launches.
• Manage the achievement of Private Label targets.

Skills

Knowledge of market trends and competitor analysis

Good understanding of developing a category operating plan

Knowledge of Sports, Slimming and Nutrition products

Financial planning knowledge

Supplier co-op negotiations understanding

Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking

Education

Diploma in Purchasing/Retail/Marketing/Financial Management

Job description

Job category: Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

EE position: No

About our company

Clicks Group

Introduction

We are looking to recruit a Category Manager to support the Retail Business Development division of the Clicks Group. The role will be based at our Head Office in Cape Town, reporting to the Business Efficiency Executive.

Job Purpose:

To achieve and exceed the category financial targets through the successful development and implementation of a category operating plan by actively cultivating, developing and maintaining vendor relationships in line with the business objectives.

Job Objectives:

• To develop an annual category operating plan in line with the strategic category brief and lead the category team to achieve the category operating plan targets.
• To negotiate multi-category trading terms and promotional spend (co-op) and actively cultivate and develop vendor relationships and partnerships to ensure vendor performance and first to market with new product launches.
• To negotiate and select promotional products and price to meet the promotional category sales and margin targets, whilst ensuring that the day-day sales and margin targets are met.
• To translate the operating and financial plans into a balanced product assortment and on-shelf layout to meet the customers’ needs.
• To drive exclusive brands thereby creating product differentiation and innovation to increase market share and profitability.
• To manage the achievement of Private Label targets, thereby creating product differentiation, innovation and brand loyalty to increase market share and profitability.
• To sign off and approve the category financial plan to achieve the divisional financial plan.
• To define the category pricing and promotions strategy to ensure we meet the customer’s needs and remain competitive in the market.
• To accelerate the growth of the Sports Supplements category in line with the business objectives
• Responsible for the procurement of pharmaceutical products.
• Managing out of stocks with Suppliers, updating out of stock schedule for reporting purpose.
• Responsible for managing supplier in fills.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Diploma in Purchasing/Retail/Marketing/Financial Management
• Essential: 2-5 years’ experience in Retail Buying
• 2-5 years’ experience in FMCG category desirable

Skills, Abilities and Job Related Knowledge:

• Knowledge and understanding of the buying business processes.
• Good understanding of developing a category operating plan and identifying strategic opportunities.
• Knowledge of market trends and competitor analysis.
• Knowledge and understanding of assortment management
• Knowledge and understanding of supplier co-op negotiations and trading terms
• Knowledge of financial planning
• Knowledge of Sports, Slimming and Nutrition products
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Analyzing
• Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking
• Relating and Networking
• Planning and Organizing
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Learning and Researching