Category Strategy Manager

Pollock & Associates; Durban; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent company, Pollock & Associates, seeks a strategic leader to oversee outdoor treatments and hardware retail strategies in Southern Africa. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years’ experience in retail procurement, strong negotiation skills, and the capacity to drive profitability while managing supplier relationships effectively.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of procurement and retail operations experience in the hardware retail environment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category strategies that drive profitability.
• High degree of confidentiality and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage category strategies aligning with business objectives.
• Build strategic partnerships with suppliers to ensure competitive trade terms.
• Lead team initiatives to drive retailer profitability and market share growth.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier Partnership

Problem Solving

Leadership

Presentation

Conflict Resolution

Education

Relevant commercial, marketing, or supply chain degree

Job description

Reporting to the Merchandising Executive, you will provide strategic direction for multi-purpose outdoor treatments, chemicals, paints, and accessories.

POSITION INFO :

This role involves building and maintaining strategic partnerships with key national suppliers to ensure competitive trade terms and market share growth in Southern Africa.

You will develop comprehensive category strategies that align with the Group’s overarching merchandise strategy and business objectives. This strategic role will involve analysing market trends and performance data to identify opportunities to enhance retail profitability, foster collaborative relationships with suppliers, and spearhead pricing policy across departments and retailers.

You will also manage promotional strategies, ensure the quality and competitiveness of supplier products, and drive category performance through effective execution and problem-solving.

This position is not just about strategy; it’s about leadership. You must effectively lead, collaborate with suppliers, and drive retailer profitability and market share growth through innovative and strategic initiatives. Your leadership skills will be tested as you guide the team towards business goals.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE :

• Relevant commercial, marketing, or supply chain degree.
• 5-10 years of procurement and retail operations experience in the hardware retail environment is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category strategies and plans that drive category and retailer profitability growth.
• A high degree of confidentiality, emotional maturity, ethical values, and integrity.
• Outstanding supplier partnership skills and strong customer orientation.
• Proven problem-solving capability in a fast-moving and dynamic setting, applying sound judgment and responsiveness to challenges.
• Strong presentation, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills.