Category Officer

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Category Strategy & Planning

● Develop and execute category merchandising strategies aligned with company goals

● Define assortment plans based on customer insights, trends, and space availability

● Manage category lifecycle including new product introductions, product rationalization, delisting and replacement planning.

● Identify opportunities to expand the HVAC and automotive cooling product portfolio.

● Monitor product failure-rate trends and use insights to support assortment and supplier decisions.

2. Sales & Profitability Management

● Drive category sales, margin, and profitability targets

● Analyze weekly/monthly performance and identify corrective actions

● Optimize pricing architecture and promotional effectiveness

● Monitor sales, margin, sell-through, and product performance by SKU and category.

● Identify growth and profitability opportunities through assortment, pricing, and supplier initiatives.

3. Inventory & Availability

● Ensure optimal stock levels to maximize availability and reduce stock-outs

● Manage inventory turnover, aging stock, and markdown strategies

● Collaborate with Demand Planning, Supply Chain, and Warehouse teams to forecast demand and establish appropriate inventory levels.

● Ensure availability of high-turnover and critical cooling components.

4. Supplier & Vendor Management

● Monitor supplier performance on delivery, quality, and service levels

● Build strong partnerships to support growth initiatives

● Identify, evaluate, vet, and onboard reliable global and local suppliers of HVAC and automotive cooling system components.

5. Merchandising Execution

● Ensure correct product placement, planogram compliance, and visual standards in branches

● Maintain pricing, content accuracy, and availability of the assigned category in e-commerce channels

● Coordinate promotional execution across stores and channels

● Work closely with marketing teams on campaigns and launches

6. Reporting & Analysis

● Track category KPIs and prepare performance reports

● Use data to identify growth, optimization, and cost-saving opportunities and potential risks.

● Present findings and recommendations to management on a regular cadence

● Analyze sales, margins, inventory, supplier performance, warranty claims, and product defects.

● Prepare regular category performance reports and management recommendations.

Qualifications:

● More than 5 years of experience in category management, strategic procurement, product management, merchandising, or supply chain.

● Experience in the automotive aftermarket, heavy-duty parts, HVAC, automotive cooling systems, or related component industries is preferred.

● Experience in supplier/vendor management and commercial negotiations is highly desirable.

● Strong understanding of automotive and HVAC thermal systems

● Strong negotiation skills

● Solid understanding of market trends, forecasting, and cost analysis.

● Excellent communication and collaboration skills

● Experience in managing vendor relationships and ensuring high levels of supplier performance.