Remote Category Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Health and wellness benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Equity potential

Professional growth and leadership

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Remote Category Manager for a key e-commerce client. Lead procurement strategies, manage supplier relationships, and optimize product assortment to drive revenue and profitability in a fully remote South Africa role.

The role requires 6–8 years in category management or strategic sourcing, plus a Master’s degree and strong negotiation, analytics, and stakeholder management skills. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver category initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field (MBA, Marketing, SCM or related).
• 6-8 years of experience in category management, product management, or strategic sourcing.
• Proven track record of managing product categories, driving revenue growth and profitability.
• Strong understanding of market analysis, consumer insights, and competitive landscaping.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement end-to-end category strategies, including market analysis, product planning, and supplier selection.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers, negotiating favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure product quality, innovation, and reliable supply chains.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor activities to optimize product assortment and pricing strategies.
• Drive profitable growth within the assigned category through effective product lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure seamless product launches and promotional activities.
• Monitor inventory levels and implement strategies to minimize stockouts and overstock situations.
• Prepare regular performance reports, including sales forecasts, profitability analysis, and key category metrics.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Remote work communication

Education

Master's degree in Business Administration

Master's degree in Marketing

Master's degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP systems

Procurement software

Data analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding e-commerce enterprise, is actively seeking an experienced and visionary Remote Category Manager to lead procurement initiatives for a key product category. This is a fully remote position, allowing the candidate to work from anywhere in South Africa, ideally situated to leverage regional logistics networks if needed, though not a requirement. The Category Manager will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing the product assortment to drive revenue and profitability. This role demands a strategic thinker with a strong understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and effective negotiation tactics. You will be instrumental in shaping our client's product offering and ensuring competitive advantage through superior procurement practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement end-to-end category strategies, including market analysis, product planning, and supplier selection.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers, negotiating favorable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure product quality, innovation, and reliable supply chains.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor activities to optimize product assortment and pricing strategies.
• Drive profitable growth within the assigned category through effective product lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure seamless product launches and promotional activities.
• Monitor inventory levels and implement strategies to minimize stockouts and overstock situations.
• Prepare regular performance reports, including sales forecasts, profitability analysis, and key category metrics.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, ethical standards, and relevant regulations.
• Lead cross-functional teams to execute category initiatives and resolve any arising issues.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6-8 years of experience in category management, product management, or strategic sourcing, preferably within the e-commerce or retail sector.
• Proven track record of successfully managing product categories, driving revenue growth, and achieving profitability targets.
• Strong understanding of market analysis, consumer insights, and competitive landscaping.
• Exceptional negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in e-commerce platforms, data analytics tools, and relevant ERP/procurement systems.
• Excellent strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, suitable for a remote work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, manage priorities effectively, and deliver results in a fast-paced, remote setting.
• Self-motivated with a high degree of proactivity and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of R .
• Fully remote position offering unparalleled flexibility and autonomy.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous performance-based bonuses and potential for equity.
• Opportunities for significant professional growth and leadership development.
• Exposure to a dynamic and innovative e-commerce environment.
• Allowance for home office setup and internet connectivity.