Senior Category Manager - FMCG Retail

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Highly competitive salary

Annual performance bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement fund contribution

Generous annual leave

Professional development and training

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead FMCG category strategies in Richards Bay. You will oversee sourcing, assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and supplier negotiations, driving growth, profitability, and market share.

The role requires a strong analytical mindset, deep FMCG market knowledge, and exceptional commercial acumen. You will manage cross-functional relationships with store operations, marketing, and finance to achieve financial objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Commerce or related field; MBA advantageous.
• 8–10 years in category management, merchandising, or FMCG retail roles.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends and drive decisions.
• Excellent negotiation and supplier management capabilities.
• Understanding of retail operations, merchandising, pricing, and promotions.
• Proficiency in Excel and related tools; ability to leverage category management software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business goals.
• Manage end-to-end lifecycle for FMCG categories from sourcing to promotions.
• Conduct market analysis to identify growth opportunities.
• Optimize assortment and shelf space to maximize sales and margins.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, and promotional support with suppliers.
• Develop pricing strategies balancing profitability and competitiveness.
• Collaborate with marketing for promotions and in-store activations.
• Monitor KPI performance and take corrective actions as needed.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Stay updated on FMCG retail trends and innovations.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Negotiation

Leadership

Communication

Excel

Category management software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/Commerce

MBA (advantage)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Category management software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major supermarket chain, is seeking an accomplished Senior Category Manager to oversee their Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) category. This is a critical, in-office position based in Richards Bay, where you will be responsible for driving category growth, profitability, and market share. You will lead strategic planning, product assortment, pricing, promotions, and supplier negotiations for your assigned categories. The ideal candidate possesses a strong analytical mind, a deep understanding of the FMCG market, and exceptional commercial acumen. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the product offering, enhancing the customer shopping experience, and achieving the company's financial objectives. This role demands a strategic thinker with a proven ability to manage complex portfolios and build synergistic relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies aligned with the company’s overall business goals.
• Manage the end-to-end product lifecycle for assigned FMCG categories, from sourcing and assortment planning to merchandising and promotional activities.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis, including competitor performance, consumer trends, and category insights, to identify growth opportunities.
• Optimize product assortment and shelf space allocation to maximize sales and profitability.
• Negotiate favorable terms, pricing, and promotional support with suppliers to enhance margins and competitiveness.
• Develop and implement effective pricing strategies that balance profitability with market competitiveness.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to create impactful promotional campaigns and in-store activations.
• Monitor category performance against KPIs (sales, margin, market share, stock turn) and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key internal stakeholders (e.g., store operations, marketing, finance) and external suppliers.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices, emerging trends, and innovations within the FMCG retail sector.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Commerce, or a related field. A Master’s degree or MBA is a significant advantage.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or a similar role within the FMCG retail sector.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing FMCG categories, demonstrating strong commercial acumen.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Strong negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Exceptional understanding of retail operations, merchandising principles, and promotional strategies.
• Proficiency in category management software and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively.
• A results-oriented mindset with a passion for driving business growth.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to Richards Bay for this full-time, on-site position.

Benefits

• Highly competitive annual salary of R .
• Annual performance-based bonus.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement fund contribution.
• Generous annual leave.
• Opportunities for professional development and international training.
• Employee discounts on store products.
• Relocation assistance if applicable.
• A dynamic work environment with significant career growth potential.
• Company-provided laptop and mobile phone.