Retail Category Manager

Placements24; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonus

Comprehensive healthcare

Career growth opportunities

Employee discounts

Collaborative work environment in Stel

Stellenbosch presence

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a strategic Retail Category Manager in Stellenbosch, Western Cape to develop category strategies, optimize assortments, and drive profitability. You will analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive activity to maximize sales and market share for assigned categories.

The role requires strong negotiation, supplier management, and collaboration with marketing, merchandising, and operations to implement category plans, manage inventory, and present compelling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of category management/retail experience.
• Proven track record of developing and executing category strategies.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills with P&L experience.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management abilities.
• In-depth understanding of the retail industry and consumer behavior.
• Proficient with retail analytics tools and MS Excel.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to achieve sales, margin and market share goals.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights and competitive activity.
• Manage product assortment planning for optimal mix and availability.
• Negotiate with suppliers for favorable terms, pricing and promotions.
• Monitor category performance and generate regular reports.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising and operations on plans.
• Drive product innovation and source new items for the category.
• Manage inventory levels and plan for seasonal peaks and promotions.
• Ensure effective product presentation and in-store merchandising.
• Build long-term relationships with key suppliers.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Excel proficiency

Negotiation

Supplier management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Retail analytics

MS Office

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent retailer in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, is seeking a strategic and analytical Retail Category Manager to drive the success of specific product categories. This pivotal role involves developing and executing category strategies, optimizing product assortments, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring profitability. You will be responsible for understanding market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes to make data-driven decisions that maximize sales and market share for your assigned categories. This position requires a blend of commercial acumen, strong negotiation skills, and a deep understanding of the retail environment. The ideal candidate will be passionate about product management and possess a proven track record of successfully growing retail categories. Join our client in Stellenbosch, Western Cape and play a key role in shaping their product offering and commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to achieve sales, margin, and market share objectives.
• Analyze market trends, consumer insights, and competitive activity to identify opportunities and threats.
• Manage product assortment planning, ensuring optimal product mix and availability.
• Negotiate effectively with suppliers to secure favorable terms, pricing, and promotional support.
• Monitor category performance, analyze sales data, and generate regular reports.
• Collaborate with marketing, merchandising, and operations teams to execute category plans.
• Drive product innovation and source new products to enhance the category offering.
• Manage inventory levels and plan for seasonal peaks and promotional activities.
• Ensure effective product presentation and merchandising strategies in stores.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with key suppliers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in category management, retail buying, or product management.
• Proven track record of developing and executing successful category strategies.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, with experience in P&L management.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills.
• In-depth understanding of the retail industry and consumer behavior.
• Proficiency in retail analytics tools and MS Office Suite (especially Excel).
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with the retail landscape in Stellenbosch, Western Cape is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Comprehensive healthcare benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement within the retail sector.
• Employee discounts on merchandise.
• A collaborative and dynamic work environment in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.