Purplle.com - Associate Director - Category Management

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Category Lead to join our e- commerce team. This role is crucial for managing and growing key accounts and will involve leading a team to drive business growth within a specific product category. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in category management, a knack for negotiation, and a proven track record of P&L ownership.

Key Responsibilities:

- Category Management & Strategy: Own the end- to- end category management for an assigned key account of a category.

- Develop and execute strategies to achieve revenue, profitability, and market share goals.

- Vendor & Account Management: Cultivate and maintain strong, long- term partnerships with key accounts.

- Lead all aspects of vendor negotiation, including pricing, terms, and marketing support.

- Develop and execute Joint Business Plans (JBPs) to ensure mutual growth.

- P&L & Financial Management: Take full ownership of the category's P&L. Monitor key financial metrics, manage budgets, and implement strategies to optimize profitability and operational efficiency.

- Inventory & Operations: Oversee inventory management to ensure optimal stock levels, minimize out- of- stock situations, and manage aging inventory. Collaborate with supply chain teams to improve efficiency.

- Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 5- 6 members, fostering a high- performance culture. Set clear goals, provide regular feedback, and support professional growth.

- Marketing & Business Growth: Identify and capitalize on marketing opportunities to drive category growth. Work cross- functionally with marketing and product teams to execute campaigns and promotions.

Qualifications & Experience:

- Education: MBA from a Tier 1/2 institute is preferred but not mandatory.

- Experience: 4+ years of relevant experience from a premier institute or 8+ years from a non- premier institute, with a minimum of 2- 3 years of team handling experience.

- Industry: Must have experience in the e- commerce industry.

- Skills: Expertise in category management, vendor negotiation, pricing strategies, P&L management, and inventory management.

- Stability: A track record of job stability, with ideal tenures of 2- 3 years per company.