Category Manager - FMCG (Remote)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Fully remote work

Health insurance

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Category Manager for a fully remote role in South Africa. You will lead category strategy, optimize assortment, manage supplier relationships, and drive sales, profitability, and market share across a key FMCG category.

The ideal candidate has at least 6 years in category/brand management, strong analytical skills, and proven negotiation and collaboration abilities to work with cross-functional teams nationwide.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years in category or brand management within FMCG.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to maximize sales, profitability, and market share.
• Analyze category performance, market trends, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and ensure competitive pricing and product quality.
• Plan and execute promotional activities and merchandising strategies to drive consumer demand.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure alignment and effective execution of category plans.
• Introduce new products and optimize assortment based on consumer insights and market demand.

Skills

Category management

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Data analysis

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree (Business/Marketing/Economics)

Tools

Category management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a strategic and commercially astute Category Manager to oversee a key category within their FMCG business. This fully remote role is crucial for driving category growth, profitability, and market share by understanding consumer needs, market dynamics, and competitive strategies. You will be responsible for assortment planning, pricing strategies, promotional activities, and supplier relationship management. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to lead category strategy from anywhere in South Africa , working with a leading company in the FMCG sector .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to maximize sales, profitability, and market share.
• Analyze category performance, market trends, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities.
• Manage supplier relationships, negotiate terms, and ensure competitive pricing and product quality.
• Plan and execute promotional activities and merchandising strategies to drive consumer demand.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations teams to ensure alignment and effective execution of category plans.
• Introduce new products and optimize assortment based on consumer insights and market demand.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in category management, brand management, or related roles within the FMCG industry .
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful category strategies that delivered measurable results.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret sales data, market insights, and financial reports.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field.
• Experience with category management software and tools.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance-driven bonus structure.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering exceptional flexibility.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• The chance to work with influential FMCG brands and shape their category strategy.