Category Manager - Food

Description:

Category Strategy & Assortment Planning:

- Develop and execute a long-term strategic plan for the food category.

- Curate the product mix (assortment) by identifying "hero" products, seasonal trends, and niche consumer needs (e.g., organic, vegan, gluten-free).

- Manage the product lifecycle from introduction/launch to exit strategies for underperforming items.

Pricing & Promotion:

- Set competitive pricing strategies that balance market positioning with margin targets.

- Design and implement promotional calendars (discounts, bundles, loyalty offers) to drive footfall and basket size.

- Analyze the effectiveness of promotions and adjust tactics based on ROI.

Supplier & Vendor Management:

- Source new vendors and manage existing supplier relationships.

- Lead negotiations on contract terms, pricing, rebates, and supply chain logistics.

- Collaborate with suppliers on "Category Captain" initiatives to improve category-wide performance.

Performance Analysis & Reporting:

- Monitor and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including: Gross Margin, Sales Volume, Market Share, and Stock Turn.

- Use retail analytics (e.g., Nielsen, IRI data) to benchmark against competitors.

- Conduct regular "Gap Analysis" to identify missed opportunities in the current range.

Merchandising & Operations:

- Work with the visual merchandising team to develop Planograms (shelf layouts) that optimize "eye-level" placement for high-margin goods.

- Ensure 99%+ product availability by collaborating with the supply chain and demand planning teams.

- Conduct regular store visits to ensure brand standards and food safety regulations are met.

Qualifications & Experience:

Education: MBA, Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, or Food Science.

Experience: 5-8 years in Category Management or Buying, specifically within the FMCG or Grocery Retail sectors.

- Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP), Power BI/Tableau, and Category Management software (e.g., JDA/Blue Yonder).

- Certifications: Certified Category Manager (CCM) or CIPS is a plus.

Key Competencies:

- Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of P&L management and margin calculation.

- Negotiation: Ability to influence stakeholders and secure favorable terms with global and local vendors.

- Trend Awareness: A "foodie" mindset staying ahead of health trends, sustainability, and global flavors.

- Consumer-Centric: Ability to think like the shopper to improve the "path to purchase."