Senior Category Manager

Clicks Group Limited; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Clicks Group is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead the merchandise category strategy, partnering with suppliers and internal teams to improve margins and grow market share.

The role, based at Clicks Head Office in Cape Town, focuses on competitive pricing, private label development and effective promotional planning with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Category management experience in FMCG wholesale or value retail.
• 2–3 years people management experience.
• Experience with local and global supplier networks.
• Essential degree in Retail or Purchasing Management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a category plan to optimise cost, terms and revenue.
• Negotiate trading terms and co-op/promotional spend with vendors.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships and onboard new partners.
• Translate plans into balanced assortment and on-shelf presentation.
• Support private label development and exclusive brands.

Skills

Financial acumen

Merchant mindset

Planning and organisational skills

Supplier relationships

Strategic thinking

Project management

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Education

B Degree or Diploma in Retail or Purchasing Management

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Job category: Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

About our company

Clicks Group

Introduction

We are seeking to appoint a Senior Category Manager within our Merchandise department. The role will be based at Clicks Head Office and report to the Portfolio Manager.

Job Purpose

To develop and execute the category strategy in order to achieve and exceed the category financial targets through rapidly accelerating category depth, strengthen pricing strategy and driving private label and exclusive Brands thereby creating product differentiation and innovation to increase market share and profitability.

Job Objectives

• To develop and implement a category plan for specific product ranges to ensure reduced cost of goods, optimise contract terms and increase income, assume responsibility of budget and revenue for category.
• To negotiate favourable trading terms and promotional spend (co-op), actively cultivate, develop and maintain vendor relationships and partnerships to ensure vendor performance and first to market with new product launches.
• To maintain relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products lines.
• To implement a plan that will achieve the Clicks' value proposition through price and promotion whilst achieving promotional sales targets.
• To translate the operating and financial plans into a balanced product assortment and visual on-shelf display to meet the customer’s needs
• To support the sourcing and development of private label products and exclusive brands thereby creating product differentiation, innovation and brand loyalty that will increase market share and profitability.
• To regularly review performance indicators, such as sales, margin and promo quantification, keeping the business updated on financial performance versus market and plan.
• To conduct range reviews, analyse consumer buying patterns, predict future trends and stay abreast with competitor activity.
• To work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including marketing and Clubcard to ensure effective delivery of the operating plan.
• To support both the Merchandise and Graduate Development Programme by playing an active role in facilitating training sessions to embed sound procurement principles and commercial awareness.

Job Related Knowledge:

• Procurement and Supply Chain
• Business Objectives and Strategies
• Business Processes
• Retail Management
• Market trends and competitor analysis
• Understanding of supplier co-op negotiations and trading terms
• Financial planning and budgets
• Understanding lower LSM buying patterns

Job Related Skills

• Strong Financial/Business acumen with a merchant mindset
• Planning and organisational skills
• Ability to build strong supplier relationships
• Competency in all computer packages, i.e. Outlook,Excel, PowerPoint
• Verbal and written communication
• Problem solving and analytical thinking
• Strategic thinking and decision making
• Project management

Job Experience

• 4-6 years Category Management experience, specifically within FMCG wholesaleor value retail chains
• 2-3 years People Management experience
• Experience with local and global supplier networks

Education

• B Degree or Diploma in Retail, Purchasing Management or similar (Essential)
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Working with People
• Persuading and Influencing
• Analysing
• Learning and Researching
• Delivering Results & Meeting Customer Expectations
• Achieving Personal Work Goals and Objectives
• Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking

All positions will be filled in accordance with our Employment Equity plan. We also encourage people with disabilities to apply.