Description:

Job Title: Associate Category Manager Business Development

Location: Hyderabad

Experience: 15 years

Summary:

Hiring an Associate Category Manager (Hyderabad) with 15 years experience in category management, offline retail, visual merchandising, negotiation, and data analysis. The role focuses on assortment management, vendor coordination, market scanning, sales & inventory monitoring, and driving category growth. FMCG/Pharma retail experience is mandatory. 6 days WFO.

Mandatory Skills:

- Category Management

- Offline Retail Store Operations

- Visual Merchandising

- Negotiation Skills

- Data Analysis

- Business Development

Job Description:

Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs):

- Bring in the relevant product assortment for the category.

- Engage with vendors to improve category performance.

- Manage partners including sellers and brand relationships.

- Grow the category using pricing, promotions, and other available levers.

- Conduct continuous market scanning of competitive assortments and pricing to identify gaps, threats, and opportunities.

- Work closely with buying, marketing, and operations teams to take corrective actions.

- Oversee the process of inventory returns and liquidation as per defined SOPs.

- Monitor sales and inventory levels to minimize lost opportunities.

Skill Set Required:

- Strong understanding and interest in offline retail.

- Smart, enthusiastic, hardworking, and creative mindset.

- Excellent organizational skillsprioritization, scheduling, and time management.

- Proven negotiation and influencing abilities.

- Strong numerical and analytical aptitude with hands-on data analysis skills.

- Good business acumen and overall understanding of business drivers.

- Experience in leading cross-functional projects.

- Ability to think, decide, and react quickly in a fast-paced environment.

- Ability to analyze market trends and take timely actions.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Key Performance Index (KPIs):

- Demonstrate strong voice and proactive ownership.

- Show commitment and accountability in all tasks.

- Provide relevant insights in marketing and merchandising.

- Maintain strong relationships with principal brands for margins, availability, and competitive offers.

- Build strategic partnerships with principal brands that drive short-term gains and long-term benefits for the Apollo ecosystem.

Education & Professional Qualifications:

- Bachelors degree (mandatory)

- Masters degree (MBA preferred)

- Work experience: 1 - 2 years preferred

- Experience in consumer-facing sectors such as Pharma Retail or FMCG is mandatory

- Prior experience in Business Development or Category Management is required