Core Roles & Responsibilities for Category Manager at V-Guard

Strategic Part:

- Assist the process of new product development from consumer insight to product concept development, driving the innovation agenda for the organization while working closely with external and internal teams (R&D, Design & Sales)

- Assist with the above annual planning process for all channels (General Trade, Modern Trade, eCommerce, Exports, CSD, etc) to have a comprehensive category map for different product categories.

- Undertake/Drive market scan to identify new potential categories based on core/adjacency to existing business or basis any opportunity that may come up. Market scan will include preparing business plans, go-to-market plans and launch plans as well

- Lead/Assist the commercial refresh process to ensure, channel wise product plan & channel wise profitability plan is designed and delivered, product life cycle management decisions - Refresh/Reposition/Re-price.

- Assist in building a 5 yr category and P&L roadmap for the designated category (Appliances)

Operating Part:

- Review the monthly sales and margin for the designated category.

- Pricing management - Setting MOP bands, DP's, and scheme analysis

- Lead/assist work for effective 360-degree communication to ensure the product value proposition reaches target customers

- Conduct regular competition benchmarking - product portfolio, pricing, communication across different channels

- Assist in designing the core market research brief - projects including U&A, Continuous Brand Track, opportunity analysis, consumer immersion, competitive analysis & social media listening to improve brand equity

- Drive planned/adhoc Micro Marketing Plans across planned geographies for the branch/region.

Supporting Responsibilities for Category Manager at VGuard

- Support New Product Development team in the product planning journey from feasibility (technical, commercial, etc) to product proposal

- Support Brand & Communication (B&C) team so to translate the effective communication plan into action across ATL/BTL/Digital

- Support/Guide R&D team as they work on the TRM, providing market side inputs

Candidate must have:

- 2-3 years of work experience working across Category Planning/Business Planning/Product Management OR 2-3 years of consulting experience in FMCG/FMCD across strategy and implementation

- Experience in assisting the product portfolio, utilizing consumer usage, attitudes, needs, and wants for product development direction

- New product launch know-how (economics, process, program, skills)

- P&L Understanding

- Have experience planning and executing marketing strategies and activities that drive business results while remaining true to the brand.

- Ability to turn online and offline data into meaningful insights and insights that drive action.

- Have a sharp analytical skill and strong financial acumen

- Leading and thriving in ambiguity & cross-group collaboration

- Proactive individual who is a self-starter and takes initiative

- Strong, concise presentation skills and storytelling

- Innovative, team-oriented, and have a desire to participate in change and appreciate a dynamic environment with rapidly changing priorities

- Be a relentless driver who is skilled in getting work done through influence of others - both internally at VGuard and externally through partners

- MBA from premier business schools preferred

- 50% travel between Delhi and Kochi