About the Role
The Category Department Manager leads the end-to-end management of an assigned product category within the Merchandise Division. This role is responsible for shaping category strategy, managing the product portfolio, negotiating with suppliers, optimizing pricing and promotions, and ensuring product availability across stores. By leveraging market insights, customer trends, and strong supplier partnerships, the role drives sustainable sales growth, profitability, and an exceptional customer experience.
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Accountabilities
Category Strategy & Portfolio Management
- Develop and execute the category strategy in line with the division's commercial objectives.
- Analyze market trends, customer insights, and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities.
- Build and maintain an optimal product assortment that balances innovation, profitability, and customer demand.
- Manage category revenue, profitability, SKU portfolio, and store coverage for categories.
Product Lifecycle Management
- Lead product listing and delisting decisions based on performance analysis, market demand, and supplier negotiations.
- Introduce new and exclusive products to strengthen the competitive advantage.
- Ensure all products comply with regulatory requirements and internal quality standards.
Supplier & Commercial Partnership Management
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers to negotiate commercial agreements, rebates, and promotional support.
- Lead Joint Business Planning (JBP) initiatives with key suppliers to maximize commercial performance and supply chain efficiency.
- Ensure suppliers meet contractual commitments related to pricing, promotions, product availability, and service levels.
Pricing & Promotion Management
- Develop and implement category pricing strategies in collaboration with Finance and Marketing to maximize profitability.
- Secure supplier investments, marketing funds, promotional budgets, and commercial discounts.
- Monitor promotional performance and adjust pricing and promotional activities to optimize sales and margins.
Store Fulfilment & Inventory Optimization
- Partner with Supply Chain and Merchandise Planning teams to maintain optimal inventory levels across all stores.
- Define Minimum Display Quantities (MDQ) and distribution strategies to ensure product availability while minimizing stock shortages.
- Collaborate with Merchandising and Store Operations to ensure planogram compliance and effective in-store execution.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Marketing to develop impactful customer communication and promotional campaigns.
- Partner with Finance to optimize category profitability, gross margins, and working capital.
- Collaborate with Operations and Store teams to ensure seamless product availability and execution.
Performance & People Management
- Establish and monitor key category performance indicators, including sales growth, gross margin, inventory turnover, and commercial performance.
- Develop and continuously improve operating procedures, processes, and reporting frameworks to enhance operational efficiency.
- Lead, coach, and develop the category team, fostering a high-performance culture and supporting career growth.
Work Environment
- Indoors: 85%
- Outdoors: 15% (Supplier meetings and market visits)
- Working Days: 5 Working Days
- Days Off: 2 Days Off
- Working Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (1-hour break)
Job Requirements
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
Experience
- 10 years in retail or FMCG category management, with at least 3 years in a managerial role.
Computer Skills
- Proficiency in MS Office, ERP, and category analytics tools.
Languages
- English
- Arabic (preferred)
