Retail Category Manager

Placements24; Mossel Bay; Hybrid; ZAR 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary and bonuses

Medical aid & retirement

Employee discount

Career progression

Dynamic work environment

Job summary

Placements24 in Mossel Bay is seeking an analytical Retail Category Manager to lead category strategies, assortment planning, pricing and promotions for stores in the Mossel Bay region.

You will analyze sales trends, negotiate with suppliers, and collaborate with store ops, marketing and supply chain to drive sales, profitability, and market share through data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in retail, with at least 3 years in category management or a related commercial role.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing category strategies that drive profitable growth.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Excel and retail analytics tools.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics in retail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
• Manage the entire product lifecycle for the assigned category, from sourcing and assortment planning to pricing and promotion.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor performance to identify opportunities and risks.
• Optimize product assortment to meet customer demand and maximize profitability.
• Negotiate terms and build relationships with suppliers to secure pricing and favorable terms.
• Develop and execute promotional plans and marketing initiatives for the category.
• Monitor performance against key metrics and provide regular reports.
• Collaborate with store operations, marketing, and supply chain for seamless execution.
• Stay abreast of industry developments and consumer trends.
• Drive continuous improvement in category performance and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Category management

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Communication

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Commerce

Tools

MS Excel

Retail analytics tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant force in the retail market, is seeking an analytical and strategic Retail Category Manager to lead the development and execution of category strategies for their stores in and around Mossel Bay, Western Cape . This pivotal role involves managing a specific product category from assortment planning and pricing to promotion and performance analysis. You will be responsible for driving sales, profitability, and market share within your assigned category. The ideal candidate will possess strong commercial acumen, a deep understanding of consumer behavior, and proven experience in category management within the retail sector. We are looking for an individual who can identify market opportunities, build strong supplier relationships, and make data-driven decisions to optimize category performance. Your strategic insights will be crucial in shaping the future of our product offerings and enhancing customer value.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
• Manage the entire product lifecycle for the assigned category, from sourcing and assortment planning to pricing and promotion.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitor performance to identify opportunities and risks.
• Optimize product assortment to meet customer demand and maximize profitability.
• Negotiate terms and build strong relationships with suppliers to secure competitive pricing and favorable terms.
• Develop and execute effective promotional plans and marketing initiatives for the category.
• Monitor category performance against key metrics (sales, margin, market share) and provide regular reports.
• Collaborate with store operations, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Stay abreast of industry developments, consumer trends, and emerging product innovations.
• Drive continuous improvement in category performance and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in retail, with at least 3 years in category management or a related commercial role.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing category strategies that drive profitable growth.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and derive actionable insights.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Proficiency in retail analytics tools and MS Excel.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics within the retail sector.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Benefits

• An attractive annual salary of R .
• Performance-based bonuses and incentives.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement benefits.
• Significant employee discount on company products.
• Opportunities for career progression and professional development.
• A dynamic work environment with exposure to strategic retail decisions.
• Involvement in shaping the product offerings for a key region.