Category Manager - FMCG Groceries

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus

Medical aid & retirement

Generous annual leave

Career advancement

Professional development

Vereeniging environment

Employee wellness

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager to lead the grocery category in Vereeniging, Gauteng. You will shape assortment, pricing, promotions, and supplier partnerships to grow category profitability and market share.

The ideal candidate will have a strong FMCG background, excellent analytical skills, and a track record of delivering actionable category plans. This role offers professional growth within a leading company.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management or related commercial roles.
• Proven track record of driving category growth and profitability.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills with market data analysis.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in managing supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of retail environment and Gauteng consumer behavior advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to drive sales and profitability.
• Analyze category performance, market trends and competitors.
• Manage product assortment to ensure competitive offerings.
• Develop and execute pricing strategies to optimize revenue and margin.
• Plan and execute promotional campaigns with marketing and sales.
• Monitor inventory with supply chain for stock availability.
• Conduct regular category performance reviews with senior management.
• Stay abreast of new product innovations and trends.
• Ensure compliance with regulations and company policies.

Skills

Category management

Analytics

Negotiation

Excel

PowerPoint

Supplier relationships

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading name in the FMCG sector, is seeking a strategic and analytical Category Manager to oversee the grocery category within their operations in Vereeniging, Gauteng. This pivotal role involves driving category growth through effective product assortment, pricing strategies, promotional planning, and supplier relationship management. You will be responsible for optimizing the performance of the grocery portfolio, ensuring it meets consumer needs and achieves profitability targets. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of the FMCG market, strong commercial acumen, and excellent analytical skills. This is an excellent opportunity to shape a significant product category within a reputable organization and contribute to its continued success in the South African market.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies to drive sales, profitability, and market share.


• Analyze category performance, market trends, and competitor activities to identify opportunities and threats.


• Manage product assortment, ensuring a competitive and relevant offering for consumers.


• Develop and execute pricing strategies to optimize revenue and margin.


• Plan and execute promotional campaigns in collaboration with marketing and sales teams.


• Manage relationships with suppliers, negotiating terms and ensuring effective collaboration.


• Monitor inventory levels and work with supply chain to ensure optimal stock availability.


• Conduct regular performance reviews of the category and provide actionable recommendations to senior management.


• Stay abreast of new product innovations and emerging trends within the grocery sector.


• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and company policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.


• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a related commercial role, preferably within FMCG.


• Proven track record of driving category growth and profitability.


• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with proficiency in market data analysis.


• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.


• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans.


• Experience in managing supplier relationships.


• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.


• Knowledge of the retail environment and consumer behavior in Gauteng is advantageous.


• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance-based bonus structure.


• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund benefits.


• Generous annual leave.


• Opportunities for career advancement within a leading FMCG company.


• Professional development and training programs.


• A dynamic and collaborative work environment in Vereeniging.


• Employee wellness initiatives.