Landmark Group - Assistant Category Manager - FMCG (2-6 yrs)

1. Purpose of this role : Assistant Category Manager - FMCG - Processed Food at SPAR will work very closely with Category Managers and Heads and co-own the responsibility for the growth, margin deliverable and customer experience of the category they have been assigned to.

Key Responsibilities:

- Consolidate and decide category budget, deliver on Sales & Margin target, understand category finances, plan and execute promotional and pricing programs to drive price perception, understand basic mathematical calculations for pricing decisions, markups, markdowns and implication of GST which are frequently used in making decisions related to merchandising.

- Customer First - Ensure that the plans reflect the local consumer needs coupled with the competitive scenario, incorporate region/zone inputs into plans, create robust SKU assortment to meet localized customer needs (based on external category share data across both offline and online formats, and internal category growth priorities). Make certain that quality & in-store merchandising standards are executed for the category.

- Planner Ensure - all market conditions for upcoming season are assessed & optimized (supply, quality, pricing). Conduct regular market visits to better understand category implementations in stores & build upon competitor awareness.

- Inventory and working capital management: Control inventory holding within budgeted number of days. Identify and implementation of measures to improve inventory holding days. Generate negative working capital.

- Challenge the Norm - Enhancing efficiencies by looking for technology and automation solutions.

- Manage Vendor negotiations, considering internal and external data points on vendor performance, to reach win-win solutions.

- Growth Driver - Identify growth levers, concern areas, performance at category, product, store or seasonality level to take informed decision.

Competencies:

- Strong bias for action alongside strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills.

- Ownership to drive necessary initiatives end-to-end and ability to manage multiple, influencing and strong negotiation skills.

- Advanced proficiency with MS Excel.

- Strong analytical skills with proven ability to interpret data and link category management data to retailer/business scenarios.