Category Manager

Job Summary

The Category Manager is responsible for managing the overall performance and growth of assigned supermarket categories. This includes developing category strategies, managing product assortment, negotiating with suppliers, monitoring sales and margins, optimizing inventory, and ensuring that products are competitively priced and properly presented to maximize sales and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies and business plans aligned with company objectives.
• Manage product assortment, selection, pricing, promotions, and category profitability.
• Analyze sales, margins, inventory, market trends, and customer purchasing behavior to identify opportunities.
• Monitor category performance and recommend actions to improve sales, gross margin, and inventory turnover.
• Negotiate with suppliers on pricing, terms, promotions, rebates, and other commercial agreements.
• Manage supplier relationships and evaluate supplier performance.
• Plan and execute promotional activities and campaigns with suppliers and internal teams.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to ensure competitive pricing and product offerings.
• Review and optimize SKU assortment, product mix, and shelf/space allocation.
• Coordinate with Store Operations, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and suppliers for effective category execution.
• Monitor inventory levels and work with Supply Chain to minimize stock-outs, overstock, and slow-moving items.
• Review and analyze category reports and prepare recommendations for management.
• Identify opportunities for new products, private labels, and category expansion.
• Ensure compliance with company merchandising standards and commercial policies.
• Conduct regular business reviews with key suppliers and develop action plans based on category performance.

Key Performance Indicators

• Category sales growth
• Gross margin and profitability
• Inventory turnover
• Stock availability / fill rate
• Sell-through rate
• SKU productivity
• Promotional performance
• Supplier performance
• Market share/category growth
• Reduction of slow-moving and aging inventory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in supermarket/retail merchandising, category management, buying, or purchasing.
• Strong experience in supplier negotiation and commercial management.
• With solid knowledge of supermarket categories, product assortment, pricing, promotions, and inventory management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in MS Excel and capable of analyzing sales and category performance data.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Able to work independently and manage multiple categories/projects.
• Willing to conduct store visits and market/competitor checks as needed.

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Promotion to permanent employee

Work Location: In person