Job Summary
SPAR Group is recruiting for the vacancy: National Category Manager – Merchandise x4 posts.
Closing date: 25 February 2024
- Listing reference: spar_000476
- Industry: Wholesale & Retail Trade
- Job category: Merchandising
- Contract: Permanent
- EE position: Yes
- Remuneration: Market Related
Location: Durban
A position has become available for 4 x National Category Managers – Merchandise to join our dynamic team.
Purpose
The purpose of the National Category Manager is to deliver category growth by developing and executing category strategies and plans that leverage data insights and market opportunities.
The incumbent is responsible for building strategic partnerships with key national suppliers to deliver competitive trade terms and category market share in Southern Africa.
Additionally, they will work closely with Regional Category Trading Teams to deliver retail margin, competitive pricing, and sales.
Job description
Categories:
- Perishables/Frozen Foods x 1 position
- Home Care x 1 position
- Dry Goods x 2 positions
Key Performance Areas
- Develops and implements a comprehensive category strategy that aligns with the overall Merchandise strategy and SPAR business goals
- Establishes category growth priorities and determines private label opportunities and targets with the category
- Works with Data Insights specialists to establish competitive market trends, performance gaps and opportunities
- Fosters strong, collaborative, and strategic partnerships with key national suppliers based on clear category growth strategies and plans
- Works closely with suppliers in joint business planning processes that review key performance indicators (KPIs) and agree actions
- Identifies and addresses potential risks such as supply chain disruptions, quality issues, and capacity constraints
- Develops a category promotional strategy and plan to drive sales and increase market share
- Engages with Regional Merchandise Teams on Category strategies and plans, confirming regional focus
- Builds high performance, professional category communities with regular reviews and input to support execution on agreed actions
- Analyses sales data and market trends plus retailer and customer feedback to assess category performance on an ongoing basis
- Ad hoc duties as required by management
Minimum Requirements
- Relevant commercial, marketing or supply chain Degree
- A minimum of 8 years’ experience in FMCG supply chain working in category procurement and trading
- Deep knowledge and understanding of the retail grocery supply and demand dynamics in key categories
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category strategies and plans that drive category growth
Skills Requirements
- A high degree of confidentiality, emotional maturity, ethical values and integrity
- Outstanding supplier partnership skills and strong customer orientation
- Excellent co-ordination and team skills to support effective execution and market share growth
- Has proven problem-solving capability in a fast-moving and dynamic setting, applying good judgment and responsiveness to emergent challenges
- Strong negotiation skills
- Sound business and financial acumen
- Quality orientated and self-driven to achieve results
How to Apply
Kindly note: All applications are to be submitted through the Careers Site and Pnet. Please refrain from calling the Distribution Centre (DC) or emailing applications directly.
Please APPLY HERE for this exciting career opportunity.
All positions are advertised in accordance with the company’s Employment Equity Policy.
Closing Date: 25 February 2024
Careers at SPAR Group
We are in the dynamic business of distributing products to the SPAR stores located throughout South Africa and some neighbouring countries.
With distribution centres (DCs) located in 5 provinces, we ensure that products are delivered to stores just in time for the consumer to enjoy their shopping experience at their local SPAR store.
All of this is made possible by the dedicated staff we have at our DCs and Central Office. SPAR offers rewarding careers in the fields of sales, finance, marketing, logistics, information technology and human resources.
We are constantly on the lookout for people with the right skills and attitude to join our SPAR family
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