Category Manager - FMCG

Placements24; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous leave

Professional development

Exposure to FMCG products

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Paarl, Western Cape is seeking a data-driven Category Manager to optimize product category performance using market insights, consumer data, and retail intelligence. You will manage lifecycle, assortment, pricing, and promotions within assigned categories.

The role requires 5+ years in category/brand management, strong analytical and communication skills, and collaboration with internal teams and retail partners. This is a full-time, office-based position in Paarl.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Admin, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years' FMCG category management or related experience.
• Proven ability to develop and implement category strategies with measurable results.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret sales, market share, and consumer data.
• Excellent understanding of retail dynamics, shopper marketing, and P&L.
• Proficiency in MS Office and category management tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business goals to drive sales and profitability.
• Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and inventory for assigned categories.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing to execute category plans effectively.
• Build relationships with key retail partners, presenting insights and recommendations.
• Create category presentations for internal stakeholders and retail buyers.
• Monitor category performance against KPIs such as sales, market share, and profitability.
• Identify and champion new product introductions and lifecycle initiatives.
• Ensure optimal product placement and merchandising in retail environments.
• Stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and innovations in category management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business/ Economics

Tools

MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint)

Category management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a respected player in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking an astute and data-driven Category Manager to optimize the performance of specific product categories. This pivotal role involves leveraging market insights, consumer data, and retail intelligence to develop and execute category strategies that drive sales, profitability, and market share. You will be responsible for managing the product lifecycle, assortment planning, pricing strategies, and promotional activities within your assigned categories. This position, located in Paarl, Western Cape , is ideal for a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the FMCG market and a proven ability to influence both internal stakeholders and external retail partners. If you are passionate about growing product categories and possess strong analytical and commercial skills, this is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to our client’s success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies that align with overall business objectives and drive sales and profitability.
• Analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitor activity to identify category growth opportunities.
• Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and inventory levels for assigned categories.
• Collaborate closely with the sales and marketing teams to ensure effective execution of category plans.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key retail partners, presenting category insights and recommendations.
• Develop compelling category presentations for internal stakeholders and retail buyers.
• Monitor and report on category performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), including sales, market share, and profitability.
• Identify and champion new product introductions and product lifecycle management initiatives.
• Ensure optimal product placement and merchandising within retail environments.
• Stay informed about industry trends, best practices, and innovations in category management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a similar role within the FMCG industry.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing effective category strategies that drove business results.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets (sales, market share, consumer insights).
• Excellent understanding of retail dynamics, shopper marketing, and P&L management.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with category management software/tools.
• Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• This is a full-time, office-based role, requiring a consistent presence in Paarl, Western Cape .

Benefits

• Competitive salary, reflecting your expertise and contribution.
• Annual bonus based on individual and company performance.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.
• Generous leave allowance and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and further training in category management.
• Exposure to a wide range of well-known FMCG products.
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment within a leading industry player.
• Career growth prospects within the organization.