Portfolio Manager

Boardroom Appointments; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A health and beauty retailer in Cape Town is seeking a Category Manager to drive performance in the Everyday Essentials Category. The role includes developing the operating plan, managing category teams, and collaborating with stakeholders to achieve business objectives. Successful candidates will have extensive FMCG experience, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to motivate teams, with educational qualifications in Retail Management or similar fields. This is an opportunity to influence product offerings and financial performance.

Qualifications

• 46 years FMCG Category Management experience.
• 23 years People Management experience at senior level.
• Experience with local and global supplier networks essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and ensure effective execution of the category operating plan.
• Manage a team of Category Buyers and Managers.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Ability to drive and motivate teams

Strong financial/business acumen

Strong negotiation skills

Planning and organisational skills

Ability to build strong supplier relationships

Problem-solving and analytical thinking

Strategic thinking and decision-making

Education

B Degree or Diploma in Retail

Business Science, B.Comm, MBA, CIS

Tools

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

We are looking for an individual to drive high-performing category teams to deliver the commercial performance of the Everyday Essentials Category. The role involves executing our range strategy and value proposition to ensure remains the first-choice health and beauty retailer, grow market share, achieve and exceed category financial targets, and deliver business objectives.

JOB OBJECTIVES

• Develop and ensure effective execution of the category operating plan (financial and product execution) for a portfolio of categories to achieve business objectives

• Review top-down and bottom-up financial plans with the Planning Portfolio Manager, ensuring weekly reporting against targets

• Manage a team of Category Buyers and Managers, set ambitious goals, and develop improvement plans for product ranging, pricing strategies, cross‑sales, merchandising, and promotion management

• Critically evaluate and sign off category range reviews to improve profitability, product offering, and market share

• Implement space and range principles to deliver impactful in‑store execution

• Oversee strategic meetings with key suppliers, strengthening relationships and driving commercial results

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of the operating plan

• Track global and local category developments/trends to ensure relevance to customers

• Identify opportunities to streamline operations, drive departmental efficiencies, manage departmental expense budgets, and reduce expenses

• Build high‑performing teams through effective people management, recruitment, and development aligned with transformation targets

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Job Knowledge:

• Operating plan development

• Supplier relationship management

• Procurement and supply chain

• Business objectives and strategies

• Business processes

• Retail management

• Market trends and competitor analysis

• Supplier co‑op negotiations and trading terms

• Financial planning and budgeting

• Employee relations and performance management

• Knowledge of relevant legislation

Job Experience:

• 46 years FMCG Category Management experience

• 23 years People Management experience at senior level

• Experience with local and global supplier networks essential

Education:

• B Degree or Diploma in Retail, Purchasing Management, or similar (Desirable)

• Business Science, B.Comm, MBA, CIS (Desirable)

JOB‑RELATED SKILLS

• Ability to drive and motivate teams

• Strong financial/business acumen with a merchant mindset

• Strong negotiation skills

• Planning and organisational skills

• Ability to build strong supplier relationships

• Proven track record managing commercial teams in a fast‑changing environment

• Competency in computer packages (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Verbal and written communication skills

• Problem‑solving and analytical thinking

• Strategic thinking and decision‑making

• Attention to detail

• Project management skills