Category Manager - FMCG

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-driven bonus

Hybrid work arrangement

Health and wellness benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic and analytical Category Manager to lead the FMCG category in Sandton’s upscale retail market. You will drive category growth, optimize assortments, and manage supplier relationships to meet business goals.

Using market insights, sales data and consumer trends, you will develop winning category strategies, negotiate terms, and collaborate with marketing, operations and sales to ensure aligned execution and strong profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in Category Management, FMCG retail preferred.
• Proven track record of driving growth and profitability.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and strategic planning abilities.
• Understanding of retail operations and consumer behavior in FMCG.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to drive sales and profits.
• Analyze performance, trends, and competitors to identify opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms and pricing.
• Optimize assortment, pricing, and promotions for performance.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations, and sales for execution.

Skills

Category management experience

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Strategic planning

Retail knowledge FMCG

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Marketing

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and analytical Category Manager to lead their FMCG category in the upscale market of Sandton. This pivotal role involves driving category growth, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing product assortments to meet consumer demand and achieve business objectives. You will leverage market insights, sales data, and consumer trends to develop winning category strategies. The ideal candidate possesses strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the FMCG retail environment in Gauteng. This is a significant opportunity to influence product selection and strategy for a key retail category.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies to drive sales and profitability.
• Analyze category performance, market trends, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and ensure competitive pricing and product quality.
• Optimize product assortment, pricing, and promotional activities to maximize category performance.
• Collaborate with marketing, operations, and sales teams to ensure aligned execution of category plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Category Management, preferably within FMCG retail.
• Proven track record of driving category growth and profitability.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent understanding of retail operations and consumer behavior in the FMCG space.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-driven bonus scheme.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement within the organization.
• Work in a strategic role impacting a major FMCG category within a prime location.