Associate Director/Senior Manager - Category Lead - FMCG & Staples - Retail/Convenience Store Sector

Key Responsibilities:

• Consumer Insight: Understand consumer needs and translate them into a curated selection of products that solve those needs.
• Product Selection: Ensure that the in-store product selection aligns with the preferences and needs of the stores target consumer base.
• Trend Monitoring: Stay up-to-date with evolving consumer trends and adjust the product selection to keep it fresh and exciting.
• Availability: Work closely with the inventory and operations team to ensure availability of products at the store.
• Event Planning: Ensure relevant products are available for key calendar events (e.g., festivals, Mothers Day) to meet consumer demand.
• Sales Performance: Track the sales velocity of products and take proactive steps to improve performance where necessary.
• Procurement Strategy: Work closely with brands and suppliers to procure the most relevant and high-quality products.
• Brand Collaboration: Partner with brands on their launch and go-to-market strategies at J24 stores, negotiating favorable Terms of Trade.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with marketing and operations teams to create product awareness and drive consumer engagement.
• Merchandising: Ensure effective in-store merchandising to attract customers and enhance the shopping experience.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor daily sales, active users, and margins for owned categories, and take action to ensure targets are met.

Qualifications:

• 5-10 yrs of experience with proven experience in category management, preferably within the retail or convenience store sector.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends.
• Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• A keen eye for consumer trends and a passion for product curation.
• Ability to attract and retain top talent, work with them to achieve goals committed.