Category Manager

Job Description:

Job Title: Category Manager (Production)

Role Objective: The Category Manager is responsible for managing the entire categories of products in Bakery, Pastry, Cuisine, Butchery, Sausages and Fresh Foods within the company. They analyze industry and consumer trends, develop strategies, and oversee pricing, promotion, and product range management to maximize sales and profitability.

Role Responsibilities:

• Development of the commercial model to drive growth in savings for the category.
• Development of category strategies that maximise customer value for money and a continuous improvement structure.
• Implement and promote a transformation programme with a strong communication plan to achieve a structured and resilient supply chain.
• Develop and implement cost-based reduction strategies capable of delivering annual target savings.
• Collaborate with the wider team to identify products with low demand and make recommendations.
• Conduct research and analyse trends and customer purchasing habits.
• Review sales data and competitor products.
• Develop strategies and set goals for the products, including marketing plans, managing budgets and promotional events and repositioning the products.
• Build effective supplier relationships and maintain communication.
• Manage the inventory to ensure there are enough products to meet customer demands.
• Consider lead times and monitor inventory levels.
• Create pricing plans for products and liaise with suppliers to reduce spend and to remain competitive.
• Present reports to the management team highlighting any trends or issues.

 Role Specifications:

• Must have at least 4-5 years of experience in the core categories. Proven Experience as a Category Manager for at least 6-8 years.
• Sound in Data Analytics, Strategic Vision, Retail Process Knowledge, Customer Need Analysis, Competitor Analysis
• MBA, with special certification in Category Management
• Entire experience in Food Retail or QSR or Food Manufacturing.

 Key Responsibilities of the role:

• Stock availability global
• Replenishment Cycle
• Front End + Back End Margin
• Sales Target
• Negotiation Campaign
• Monthly Promotion
• New Product Launch Discount
• Assortment Finalization/New Product Introduction/Assortment Rationalization
• Ageing Stocks
• Inventory Days Cover (local)
• Category Review