Job Summary:

The Category Head is responsible for driving the overall strategy, growth, profitability, and performance of assigned product categories. This role involves developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, analyzing market trends, optimizing product assortment, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives. The Category Head ensures the category delivers sustainable revenue growth while enhancing customer satisfaction and market competitiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

- Develop and execute category strategies aligned with organizational goals.

- Own category P&L, including revenue, margins, inventory, and profitability targets.

- Analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities.

- Build and optimize product assortment, pricing, promotions, and lifecycle management.

- Lead supplier identification, negotiations, contract management, and strategic partnerships.

- Monitor category performance using KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.

- Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and Product teams to execute category initiatives.

- Drive demand planning and inventory optimization to maximize availability while minimizing excess stock.

- Identify opportunities for innovation, new product launches, and portfolio expansion.

- Lead category reviews and business planning with key stakeholders.

- Ensure compliance with company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.

- Mentor and develop category managers and other team members.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

- Revenue growth

- Gross margin and profitability

- Category market share

- Inventory turnover and stock availability

- Supplier performance

- Customer satisfaction

- Forecast accuracy

- Promotional effectiveness

- Product launch success

- Budget adherence

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, Engineering, or a related field.

- MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is preferred.

Experience:

- 8 - 15 years of experience in category management, merchandising, sourcing, product management, or commercial roles.

- Proven experience managing large product portfolios and delivering business growth.

- Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing supplier relationships.

Required Skills:

- Strategic thinking and business acumen

- Category management and merchandising expertise

- Financial and commercial analysis

- P&L management

- Negotiation and vendor management

- Data-driven decision-making

- Leadership and people management

- Project management

- Stakeholder management

- Strong communication and presentation skills

- Advanced analytical skills using Excel, BI tools, or similar platforms