Job Description
Category Strategy and Planning
Ensure alignment of category strategy with company objectives such as sustainability and local sourcing.
Conduct market analysis and customer insights to understand trends, customer needs, and competitive positioning.
Develop and implement category strategy aligned with overall business goals.
Set long- term category objectives regarding sales growth, margin enhancement, and market share.
Supplier and Vendor Management
Negotiate contracts, pricing, and promotions to maximize profitability and ensure a consistent supply of high- quality products.
Drive initiatives related to supplier diversity and ethical sourcing.
Monitor and assess supplier performance, ensuring compliance with standards for product quality, safety, and sustainability.
Establish strong relationships with key suppliers, ensuring best terms and quality.
Product Range and Merchandising
Ensure effective merchandising, product placement, and pricing to attract and retain customers.
Collaborate with marketing teams for promotional activities and seasonal events.
Oversee product development and private label strategies for fresh food.
Curate and optimize the fresh food product assortment, balancing customer preferences with profitability.
Financial and Performance Management
Develop promotional plans to increase category sales and optimize inventory turnover.
Implement pricing strategies and cost control measures to maintain competitive advantage.
Manage the category P&L to deliver on sales, margin, and inventory targets.
Regularly review category performance, using data and analytics to make informed decisions and course corrections.
Team Leadership and Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of category managers and buyers.
Provide clear direction, set performance expectations, and conduct regular performance reviews.
Foster a collaborative and high- performance culture within the team.
Identify and develop talent, ensuring succession planning and career development for team members.
Cross- functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the supply chain, marketing, store operations, and finance teams to ensure smooth execution of category plans.
Partner with marketing to drive promotions, seasonal campaigns, and category visibility
Work with the operations team to ensure the freshness and quality of products in stores.
Qualifications & Requirements
Strong understanding of market trends, customer preferences, and supplier networks in fresh food.
Ability to analyze data and make data- driven decisions.
Experience: 8- 10 years of experience in retail buying/category management, with at least 3- 5 years specifically in fresh food or related categories.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.
Proven experience in managing P&L, leading teams, and developing category strategies.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Supply Chain, or related field. A master’s degree is a plus.
