Category Manager - Cosmetics/Personal Care

Role Overview:

The Category Manager will own the end-to-end Skin category P&L, drive product innovation, manage lifecycle planning, and execute go-to-market strategies across online and offline channels. The role requires a strong blend of commercial acumen, product development understanding, and consumer insight-driven strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Category Strategy & P&L Ownership

- Own revenue, gross margin, and profitability targets for the Skin category.

- Develop annual business plans and category growth roadmap.

- Track category performance, analyze trends, and drive corrective actions.

- Forecast demand and manage inventory planning in coordination with Supply Chain.

2. Product Development & Innovation

- Identify white spaces and consumer trends in skincare.

- Lead new product development from concept to launch (briefing, formulation, packaging, pricing).

- Work closely with R&D, regulatory, sourcing, and packaging teams.

- Ensure timely product launches aligned with brand positioning.

3. Market & Consumer Insights

- Conduct competitive benchmarking and price analysis.

- Leverage consumer insights, digital analytics, and marketplace data to identify growth opportunities.

- Monitor industry trends, ingredients trends, and global skincare innovations.

4. Go-to-Market & Launch Execution

- Plan and execute product launch strategies across D2C, marketplaces, and retail.

- Collaborate with Marketing for campaigns, influencer strategies, and digital assets.

- Partner with Sales and Modern Trade teams for offline visibility and sell-through.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Coordinate with Supply Chain for inventory planning and replenishment.

- Work with Finance for pricing strategy and margin optimization.

- Align with E-commerce teams on promotions and category visibility.

Key Requirements:

- 3-8 years of experience in Category Management / Product Management (Skincare preferred).

- Experience in beauty, personal care, FMCG, or D2C brands is highly desirable.

- Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision making.

- Proven track record of managing P&L and driving category growth.

- Understanding of skincare formulations, ingredients, and regulatory basics is a plus.

- Excellent stakeholder management and project execution skills.

- MBA preferred (Marketing/General Management).