Category Manager - Art & Decor - Retail

Category Manager (Art & Dcor) - with leading Retail Brand.

Job Description & Key Responsibilities :

Product (Buying & Merchandising) :

- Define & strategize product offering vis-a-vis brand positioning & ideology.

- Lead/ own curation & Buying of art & dcor business vertical

- Ensure best representation of Art & craft techniques in the business vertical terms of selection, authenticity & mix

- Work with Design/Craft Experts & cluster managers to design & curate differentiated offerings

- Define event strategies to showcase best representations of category

- Provide platform to Indian Artists & Artisans to showcase their work

- Define event strategies to showcase best representations of category

- Devise long-term development strategies for product categories

- Develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products

- Place appropriate orders to ensure product availability that meets consumer demands

- Determine the positioning of a product category to maximize visibility

- Make forecasts for product demand to ensure the sustainability of inventory

- Assume responsibility of budget development and revenue for category

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on business strategy to determine specific category

Business development

- Identify product category performance & gaps and form strategies

- Stay ahead of the curve & aim to achieve AOP, Margin & Stock guidelines for business vertical

- Work closely with operations & support functions team and assess business performance

- Define event strategies to showcase best representations of category

- Liaise with marketing teams to determine promotional activities of a product category

Cluster/craft development :

- Revive Clusters & dying art forms with the support of craft experts & cluster managers

- Travel to clusters to optimise cluster capacity & sourcing best craft & relationship building with artisan communities.

- Work closely with cluster & sourcing team to standardise/define work process, costing, timelines etc keeping craft & cluster limitations in consideration

- Sensitize team towards art/craft forms & artisan communities

- Collaborate with artisans to expand product categories

- Foster trust relationships with artisans and cluster heads to achieve better pricing and quality of services

Customer Experience :

- Develop & share craft/artisan stories behind the product to sensitise and educate consumers & to provide them differentiated experience

- Curate a range that is relevant to the customers' needs

Team Building :

- Ensure team is aligned with the vision & values of the Brand & organisation

- Support team members to define their growth path within the business vertical or organisation

- Define with clarity the role of each team member with clear measurable objectives

- Support team in achieving their objectives by closely monitoring their performance and helping them steer challenges Train and develop QC team