Remote Senior Category Manager - FMCG

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Ibrido; ZAR 1.200.000 - 1.800.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Remote work

Competitive salary

Medical and retirement benefits

Professional development

Career progression

Descrizione del lavoro

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Category Manager for a leading national FMCG retailer. This fully remote role lets you shape strategic sourcing, manage a large supplier portfolio, and drive cost optimization across key product groups while ensuring product availability and supplier innovation.

You will lead category strategies, negotiate with national and international suppliers, mentor junior team members, and collaborate with marketing, sales and supply chain to optimize assortment,

Competenze

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or Supply Chain Management.
• MBA or relevant Master's degree is a strong advantage.
• 7–10 years in category management or strategic sourcing in FMCG.
• Proven record of managing large supplier portfolios and complex contracts.
• Deep FMCG market understanding including consumer behaviour and retail dynamics.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and commercial thinking.
• Excellent leadership and stakeholder management; remote work experience.
• Strong negotiation and understanding of commercial levers.

Mansioni

• Develop and execute category strategies for key FMCG product groups.
• Lead negotiations with national and international suppliers.
• Nurture strategic supplier relationships to drive innovation and quality.
• Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and trend forecasting.
• Collaborate with marketing, sales and supply chain to optimize assortment and inventory.
• Oversee lifecycle from sourcing to shelf, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.
• Drive cost optimization and maximize margins for assigned categories.
• Monitor performance with KPIs and provide insights to senior management.
• Identify and implement new product development opportunities with suppliers.
• Mentor junior procurement team members and drive continuous improvement.

Conoscenze

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supplier management

Data analysis

Remote teamwork

Leadership

Stakeholder management

FMCG knowledge

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field

MBA or Master's degree

Strumenti

Excel

IRI

Nielsen

Data analytics tools

Descrizione del lavoro

About the Role

Our client, a leading national retailer renowned for its extensive range of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Category Manager to join their thriving procurement division. This position is fully remote, allowing the successful candidate to operate from anywhere in South Africa. The role involves leading the strategic sourcing and category management for a significant portfolio of FMCG products, focusing on optimizing cost, ensuring product availability, and driving supplier innovation. The Senior Category Manager will be instrumental in shaping the future product offerings and supplier partnerships to meet evolving consumer demands.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for key FMCG product groups, aligning with business objectives and market trends.
• Lead negotiations with major national and international suppliers to secure competitive pricing, promotional support, and optimal trading terms.
• Manage and nurture strategic supplier relationships, fostering partnerships that drive innovation, quality, and mutual growth.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, including competitor benchmarking, consumer insights, and trend forecasting, to identify opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate closely with marketing, sales, and supply chain teams to ensure product assortment, promotional planning, and inventory management are optimized.
• Oversee the entire product lifecycle from sourcing to shelf, ensuring adherence to quality standards, regulatory requirements, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives and maximize margin contribution for assigned categories through effective sourcing and supplier management.
• Monitor category performance using key metrics and KPIs, providing regular reports and actionable insights to senior management.
• Identify and implement new product development opportunities in collaboration with suppliers and internal teams.
• Mentor and guide junior members of the procurement team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• An MBA or relevant Master's degree is a strong advantage.
• A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in category management, strategic sourcing, or brand management within the FMCG sector.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large supplier portfolios and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
• Deep understanding of the FMCG market, including consumer behaviour, retail dynamics, and supply chain intricacies.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and commercial acumen.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across all organizational levels.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools and reporting software (e.g., IRI, Nielsen, advanced Excel).
• Demonstrated experience in managing remote teams or working effectively in a virtual environment.
• A proactive and results-driven mindset with a passion for delivering exceptional value.
• Strong negotiation skills and a comprehensive understanding of commercial levers.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote opportunity, offering significant flexibility and work-life balance.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary package, supplemented by an attractive performance-based bonus structure.
• Employees receive comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Access to continuous professional development, including advanced training, workshops, and industry conferences, is provided.
• You will be part of a dynamic and collaborative virtual team within a leading organization, with clear pathways for career progression.
• This role offers the chance to shape the future of FMCG procurement from the comfort of your own home.