Category Manager - Snacks & Confectionery (FMCG)

Placements24; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Career growth

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Category Manager for the Snacks & Confectionery division in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Lead the category, drive growth, manage portfolios, and develop strategic plans to improve profitability and market share.

The ideal candidate has a track record in FMCG category management, strong analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across sales, marketing, and supply chain. Relocation to Port Elizabeth is required or preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Marketing, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years in category or brand management within FMCG, snacks & confectionery advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills to translate data into actionable plans.
• Excellent understanding of retail dynamics, merchandising, and promotions.
• Must reside in or relocate to Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to drive sales, profitability, and market share.
• Manage product lifecycle, assortment planning, pricing, and promotions for the category.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis of competitors, trends, and retail environment.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain for effective execution.
• Identify new product opportunities and manage the innovation pipeline.
• Optimize performance through merchandising, space management, and promotions.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor performance metrics and report to senior management.
• Develop strategic recommendations for category growth and long-term success.

Skills

Analytical

Category mgmt

Negotiation

Stakeholder mgmt

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Business Admin

Tools

MS Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, is actively seeking a skilled Category Manager to lead their Snacks & Confectionery division. This crucial role, based in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, will be responsible for driving category growth, managing product portfolios, and developing strategic plans that enhance profitability and market share. The ideal candidate will possess a strong commercial acumen, in-depth knowledge of the FMCG market, particularly in snacks and confectionery, and a proven ability to analyze trends and consumer behavior. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of a key category for a respected brand within Port Elizabeth area.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies to drive sales, profitability, and market share.
• Manage the entire product lifecycle for the assigned category, including assortment planning, pricing, and promotion.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, including competitor activities, consumer trends, and retail environment insights.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure effective execution of category plans.
• Identify new product opportunities and manage the innovation pipeline for the category.
• Optimize category performance through effective merchandising, space management, and promotional activities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor category performance metrics and prepare detailed reports for senior management.
• Develop strategic recommendations for category growth and long-term success.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in category management or brand management within the FMCG industry, with specific experience in Snacks & Confectionery being a strong advantage.
• Proven track record of driving category growth and achieving commercial objectives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data and consumer insights.
• Excellent understanding of retail dynamics, merchandising principles, and promotional planning.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Effective communication and presentation abilities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must reside in or be willing to relocate to Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary package, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• You will have the opportunity to work with a leading FMCG company, significantly influence a key product category, and grow your career within a supportive and dynamic environment in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.