Category Manager - FMCG Beverages

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonuses

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Dynamic, collaborative work enviroment

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager to lead the FMCG Beverages portfolio in Sandton. You will shape category strategies, analyse market trends, and partner with sales, marketing and supply chain to drive growth and profitability.

The ideal candidate has at least five years in category or brand management in FMCG, a degree in Marketing or related field, and strong analytical and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Commerce, or a related field.
• 5+ years in category/brand management or senior buyer in FMCG.
• Proven beverage portfolio management experience.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder skills.
• Understanding of SA retail environment and consumer behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for FMCG Beverages to grow sales and profitability in key retail accounts.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and optimize product assortment and promotions.
• Conduct market analysis, consumer research, and competitor benchmarking to identify trends.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain to align objectives and execution.
• Monitor performance and report KPIs with actionable insights to senior management in Sandton.
• Ensure inventory management and promotional planning to maximize sales and minimize stockouts.

Skills

Category management

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Commerce, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and commercially astute Category Manager to oversee their FMCG Beverages portfolio in the sophisticated Sandton market. This pivotal role involves driving category growth, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring optimal product assortment and performance within key retail channels. You will be responsible for developing category strategies, analyzing market trends, and collaborating with sales and marketing teams to achieve commercial objectives. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the beverage market, strong analytical skills, and a proven track record in category management within the FMCG sector , contributing to market leadership and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for FMCG Beverages to drive sales, market share, and profitability in key retail accounts.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and optimize the product assortment and promotional plans for the beverage category.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, consumer research, and competitor benchmarking to identify growth opportunities and category trends.
• Collaborate closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure alignment on category objectives and execution.
• Monitor category performance, analyze sales data, and report on KPIs, providing actionable insights to senior management in Sandton .
• Ensure effective inventory management and promotional planning to maximize sales and minimize stockouts within the beverage category.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Commerce, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a senior buyer role, specifically within FMCG .
• Proven experience in managing product portfolios, particularly within the beverage sector.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into commercial strategies.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the South African retail environment and consumer behavior.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and attractive performance-based bonuses.
• Opportunity to manage a dynamic category for a leading FMCG company in Sandton .
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Professional development opportunities and exposure to senior leadership.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment focused on innovation and growth.