Category Manager - Snacks & Confectionery

Placements24; Paarl; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Remote role

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 partners with a leading FMCG company to recruit a strategic Category Manager for Snacks & Confectionery. This fully remote role drives growth, optimizes assortment, manages suppliers, and ensures profitability across South Africa, including Paarl and nationwide.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's and 5–7 years in FMCG category management, strong analytical skills, and proven remote collaboration with Marketing, Sales, and Operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, or related field.
• MBA or relevant Master's degree preferred.
• 5-7 years in category management, brand management, or related strategic role within FMCG.
• Proven Snacks & Confectionery category experience desirable.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; able to interpret data.
• Understanding of FMCG retail dynamics, consumer behavior, and trends.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills for remote collaboration.
• Independent worker with ability to manage multiple remote projects.
• Proficient in data analysis tools and MS Office Suite.
• Strategic thinker with passion for category growth and consumer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of South African market dynamics is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic category plans to achieve sales and profitability targets.
• Analyze category performance, consumer purchasing patterns, and market trends.
• Optimize product assortment, pricing strategies, and promotions.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers and negotiate favorable terms.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Operations for aligned execution.
• Conduct competitive analysis to identify market gaps and differentiation.
• Monitor inventory levels and forecast demand to minimize waste.
• Create compelling category presentations for stakeholders and retail partners.
• Stay updated on innovations and trends in global snacks and FMCG.
• Drive continuous improvement in category management processes.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Presentation skills

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Commerce

MBA or Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office Suite

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a powerhouse in the FMCG sector, is looking for an experienced and strategic Category Manager to oversee their Snacks & Confectionery portfolio. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage your expertise from South Africa. You will be responsible for driving category growth, optimizing product assortment, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring profitability within this dynamic segment of the FMCG market. The ideal candidate will possess a strong analytical mindset, a deep understanding of consumer trends in snacks and confectionery, and a proven track record in category management. This role demands strategic thinking, keen market insight, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams remotely to maximize category performance and consumer satisfaction for brands distributed in Paarl and nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic category plans to achieve sales, market share, and profitability targets for Snacks & Confectionery.
• Analyze category performance, consumer purchasing patterns, and market trends to identify growth opportunities and risks.
• Optimize product assortment, pricing strategies, and promotional activities within the category.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers, negotiate favorable terms, and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality products.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Sales, and Operations teams to ensure aligned execution of category strategies.
• Conduct competitive analysis to identify market gaps and opportunities for differentiation.
• Monitor inventory levels and forecast demand to ensure optimal stock availability and minimize waste.
• Develop compelling category presentations for internal stakeholders and, where applicable, for key retail partners.
• Stay abreast of innovations and emerging trends within the global snacks and confectionery FMCG market.
• Drive continuous improvement in category management processes and performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field.
• An MBA or relevant Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in category management, brand management, or a related strategic role within the FMCG industry.
• Proven experience in managing the Snacks & Confectionery category is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights.
• Excellent understanding of FMCG retail dynamics, consumer behavior, and market trends.
• Effective negotiation, communication, and presentation skills, suitable for remote collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote environment.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and MS Office Suite.
• Strategic thinker with a passion for driving category growth and consumer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of South African market dynamics is an advantage.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive remuneration package, including performance-based bonuses and comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• This fully remote role provides exceptional flexibility and the opportunity to work from any location in South Africa.
• You will be a key strategic leader within a leading FMCG organization, driving growth in a high-potential category.
• Our client is committed to employee development, offering continuous learning opportunities and career advancement pathways.
• Join a dynamic and forward-thinking team that values innovation and strategic execution, impacting the success of our brands from Paarl across the nation.