Category Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client, a long-standing JSE listed entity, seeks your category experience to provide strategic direction to the region through effective leadership of the various building material categories in their business. You will be responsible for building strategic partnerships with key regional suppliers to deliver competitive trade terms and category market share growth in the specific region.

POSITION INFO:
Minimum Job Requirements:

• Degree in Marketing, Commercial or Supply Chain.
• Minimum 5 to 10 years’ procurement experience in the Hardware Retail environment.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the retail supply and demand dynamics.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category strategies and plans that drive category and retailer profitability growth.

• Sound business and financial acumen.
• A high degree of confidentiality, emotional maturity, ethical values and integrity.
• Outstanding supplier partnership skills and strong customer orientation.
• Excellent co-ordination and team skills to support effective execution and market share growth.
• Proven problem-solving capability in a fast-moving and dynamic setting.
• Strong presentation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Quality orientated.
• Self-driven to achieve results.

• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies that align with the overall merchandise strategy and Group business goals.
• Work with Data Insights and Specialists to establish competitive market trends, performance gaps and opportunities.
• Foster strong, collaborative and strategic partnerships with key regional suppliers based on clear category growth strategies and plans.
• Work closely with suppliers in joint business planning processes that review key performance indicators and collaborate on actions.
• Identify and address potential risks such as supply chain disruptions, quality issues and capacity constraints.
• Pricing policy leadership.
• Analyse performance of categories to identify opportunities and develop action plans.
• Develop category promotional strategies and plan to drive sales and increase market share versus competition.
• Engage with Regional Operations and Sales teams on category strategies and plans.
• Review Regional Supplier Trade Agreements and approvals.
• Effectively launch house brand products at retail, including effective execution with point-of-sale and stands.
• Negotiate and achieve budgeted drop shipment and retail gross profits.
• Analyse sales data, market trends plus retailer and customer feedback to assess category performance.
• Arrange effective promotions to improve volumes.
• Provide product ranging leadership for existing and new stores.
• Visit regional supplier factories with Regional Category Managers to ensure they have capability to provide service at a national level.