Description:

Role Overview:

We are looking for a driven and entrepreneurial Category Manager Travel & Lifestyle to own, build, and scale the category in a fast-paced e-commerce environment. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, can work independently, and has the passion and grit to build a category from 0 to 1. The Category Manager will be responsible for end-to-end ownershipfrom strategy and supplier partnerships to growth, profitability, and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

- Own the Travel & Lifestyle category end-to-end, driving growth, profitability, and market share in an e-commerce setup.

- Develop and execute category strategies including assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and supplier onboarding.

- Conduct deep market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, customer needs, and whitespace opportunities.

- Build and manage strong supplier and brand partnerships; negotiate commercials, margins, and long-term agreements.

- Analyze sales, margins, conversion metrics, and customer data to make informed, data-driven decisions.

- Work closely with marketing teams to define product positioning, campaigns, and promotional strategies.

- Lead product launches and coordinate with supply chain, operations, and tech teams to ensure seamless execution.

- Monitor inventory levels, demand planning, and availability to optimise sell-through and reduce stock risks.

- Prepare regular performance dashboards and insights, presenting actionable recommendations to leadership.

- Take complete ownership of outcomes, working independently while collaborating cross-functionally to scale the category.

Qualifications & Experience:

- A full-time MBA is mandatory (from a recognized institute).

- Bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field.

- 5+ years of experience in category management, buying, merchandising, or a similar role.

- Prior experience managing Travel & Lifestyle categories is strongly preferred.

- Proven experience in an e-commerce or digital-first business.

- Demonstrated ability to build and scale initiatives from scratch.

- Comfortable working independently in a fast-moving, unstructured environment.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Category Strategy & P&L Ownership

- E-commerce & Digital Marketplace Experience

- Market Research & Competitive Intelligence

- Supplier Negotiation & Relationship Management

- Data Analysis & Business Insights

- Inventory & Demand Planning

- Project & Stakeholder Management

- Advanced Excel and strong presentation skills

- High ownership mindset, resilience, and execution focus

Ideal Candidate Profile:

- Self-starter with strong business judgment and an entrepreneurial mindset.

- Passionate about building categories and brands from the ground up.

- Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid experimentation.

- Strong communicator who can influence internal and external stakeholders.