Category Manager - FMCG

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Generous annual leave

Professional development

Exposure to FMCG brands

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a strategic Category Manager for a prominent FMCG client in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. Drive category growth by shaping strategies, managing portfolios, and optimizing in-store placement and promotions with retail partners.

The role requires 5+ years in category/brand management within FMCG, strong analytics, and collaboration across sales, marketing, and supply chain to boost profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Economics, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in category management, brand management, or retail buying within FMCG.
• Proven track record of growing product categories.
• Strong analytical skills with data analysis proficiency.
• Excellent understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics in FMCG.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to drive sales and market share.
• Analyze performance data, insights, and trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage the product portfolio within the category, including assortment planning and lifecycle management.
• Develop and execute promotional plans and pricing strategies.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain for aligned execution.
• Manage relationships with retail partners and present insights.
• Monitor competitors and market dynamics to maintain a competitive edge.
• Ensure optimal product visibility and merchandising in stores.
• Drive category profitability through strategic decision-making.

Skills

Category management

Analytics

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing or related field

Tools

MS Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent and growing player in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is seeking a strategic and analytical Category Manager to join their team in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal . This role is pivotal in driving category growth by developing insightful category strategies, managing product portfolios, and optimizing product placement and promotions within retail environments. You will be responsible for understanding consumer needs, market trends, and competitive landscapes to maximize category performance and profitability. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of category management principles within the FMCG industry, strong analytical capabilities, and excellent collaboration skills. This is an exceptional opportunity for a driven professional to shape the future of key product categories.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement effective category strategies to drive sales volume and market share.
• Analyze category performance data, consumer insights, and market trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage the product portfolio within the assigned category, including assortment planning, product lifecycle management, and new product introductions.
• Develop and execute compelling promotional plans and pricing strategies for the category.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment and effective execution of category plans.
• Manage relationships with key retail partners, presenting category insights and strategic recommendations.
• Monitor competitor activities and market dynamics to maintain a competitive edge.
• Ensure optimal product visibility and merchandising within retail environments.
• Drive profitability for the category through strategic decision-making.

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 retail buying within the FMCG industry.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing product categories.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis tools and methodologies.
• Excellent understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics in the FMCG sector.
• Strong negotiation, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Generous annual leave and employee wellness programs.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Exposure to a leading portfolio of FMCG brands.
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment in Pietermaritzburg.
• Potential for career advancement within the organization.