Category Manager (47384)
Job Description
Our client, a global manufacturer of speciality chemicals is looking to hire a Category Manager based in Cape Town
Duties and Responsibilities:
Category Strategy & Management
- Develop and execute the category strategy across consumer channels, including FMCG, DIY, Stationery, and Digital.
- Define and manage retail pricing and margin strategies in alignment with company targets.
- Collaborate on the 5-year strategic plan and annual roadmaps with regional and country teams.
- Monitor category performance KPIs and lead corrective initiatives where required.
- Conduct market visits and attend trade shows to stay informed on industry trends and competitor activity.
Product & Portfolio Development
- Drive global product development and lifecycle management for the consumer category.
- Contribute to the new product development (NPD) roadmap, working closely with R&D and cross-functional teams.
- Generate and assess new product ideas, ensuring a robust and innovative pipeline.
- Lead cost-optimisation and product enhancement programs in collaboration with R&D, Purchasing, and other strategic units.
Packaging & Design
- Lead the creation and refresh of packaging designs to ensure visual appeal, brand consistency, and market competitiveness.
- Approve regional packaging submissions, ensuring global branding, layout, and naming conventions are maintained.
- Identify innovative packaging solutions through trend analysis and supplier collaboration.
- Conduct consumer testing to validate packaging and product appeal.
Innovation & Market Development
- Manage the global rollout of innovation projects across all relevant consumer channels.
- Support the entry into new markets with tailored strategies and assets.
- Share global best practices in POS execution and assist with local shelf planning.
Trade & Channel Support
- Analyse retail pricing and implement adjustments to remain competitive.
- Benchmark against competitors and adapt category offerings accordingly.
- Support global pricing alignment across accounts, channels, and markets.
- Ensure packaging and branding consistency across all touchpoints.
Minimum Requirements:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 4-6 years of proven experience in a marketing role, preferably within the consumer or retail sector.
- Experience working in a global or multinational environment is advantageous.
- Excellent command of English, both written and verbal.
- Strong background in designing and executing both quantitative and qualitative market research.
- Solid understanding of market trends, customer behaviour, and competitive landscape in the DIY, consumer goods, and adjacent sectors such as construction and retail.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate insights into actionable plans.
- Effective communicator with strong verbal and written communication abilities.
- Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional environments.
- Comfortable working with data, particularly in analysing market research tools such as GfK.
- Detail-oriented with the ability to present insights clearly and creatively across visual, written, and verbal formats.
- Skilled at sourcing and leveraging market intelligence from both internal stakeholders and external networks.
- Creative, adaptable, and thrives in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
- Proactive self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and initiative
Salary:
- A competitive salary on offer
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