Category Manager - Spectacle & Lenses

Role overview

This position owns the end-to-end performance of the spectacle lens and contact lens portfolio. The person in this role will shape category direction, build the assortment, manage pricing, coordinate launches, support training, work with suppliers, monitor results, and improve customer experience so that commercial goals and customer expectations are both met.

Key responsibilities

• Build and drive category growth plans for spectacle lenses, including SV, PAL, high-index, and premium lenses, along with contact lenses.
• Spot expansion opportunities using market movements, customer behavior, and competitor comparisons.
• Improve penetration, upgrade mix, and premium product adoption to grow the category.
• Create both near-term and long-range plans that support broader business objectives.
• Plan, coordinate, and launch new products with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Review emerging lens technologies, materials, coatings, and product innovations to keep the assortment competitive.
• Make sure launches are completed on time and that products are available across stores and channels.
• Measure post-launch outcomes and take corrective action when needed.
• Design and maintain the assortment structure across Single Vision, Progressive, Contact Lenses, high-index, and premium offerings.
• Tune the product mix with a particular focus on Single Vision and Progressive contribution.
• Ensure the range fits different price bands, usage needs, prescription types, and customer segments.
• Remove slow-moving SKUs and strengthen high-performing lines.
• Set pricing based on positioning, costs, and market demand.
• Plan and evaluate promotions to increase volume and upgrades while protecting profitability.
• Compare prices against competitors regularly and recommend changes where necessary.
• Keep pricing clear and consistent across channels and stores.
• Own category KPIs such as sales, gross margin, profitability, market share, and upgrade ratio.
• Track gross margin trends and identify what is affecting cost and profitability.
• Improve margin through mix changes, pricing actions, and supplier negotiations.
• Monitor delivery turnaround time, order success rate, and fill rates for lenses.
• Identify supply issues and resolve them before they affect store operations or customer satisfaction.
• Forecast demand using seasonality, historical sales, and planned promotions.
• Work with supply chain teams to maintain the right inventory levels.
• Ensure quality checks are completed and technical specifications are met.
• Address defects, quality concerns, and vendor issues quickly.
• Maintain compliance with internal standards and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with operations and training teams to build store-level knowledge on lens products and upgrades.
• Create and share product references, comparison charts, FAQs, and promotional toolkits.
• Equip frontline teams to improve conversion, customer confidence, and upselling.
• Track week-over-week performance and surface important trends.
• Analyze sales by city and store, including high returns and product-level performance.
• Monitor returns, remakes, and customer complaints as core service metrics.
• Prepare weekly and monthly business review updates with practical recommendations.
• Manage vendor relationships across pricing, new product work, marketing support, and operational efficiency.
• Negotiate commercial terms and ensure supplier alignment with business goals.
• Coordinate with sales, marketing, operations, supply chain, and finance teams.
• Drive upgrades and product improvements based on market demand and customer feedback.
• Review customer feedback, complaints, and returns related to lens products.
• Work with sales and operations teams to close customer issues efficiently.
• Use customer insights to improve product range, quality, and service delivery.
• Ensure customer expectations are met and brand commitments are consistently delivered.

Skills and competencies

• Strong knowledge of optical lenses and contact lens product categories
• Comfort with data analysis and evidence-based decision-making
• Vendor negotiation and stakeholder coordination
• Strategic planning with strong follow-through
• Cross-functional communication and collaboration
• Commercial awareness and customer focus

Education and experience

A graduate or postgraduate degree in Business, Marketing, or a related discipline is preferred. The role calls for 5 to 8 years of experience in category management, merchandising, or product management, ideally in optical retail, retail, or FMCG.

Ideal profile

This opportunity is best suited to professionals who have handled optical category management, especially spectacle and contact lens portfolios. It also fits candidates from retail or FMCG who have managed category, product, or merchandising functions and have experience across assortment, pricing, product development, and supplier management. Strong analytical skills, negotiation ability, cross-functional working, and a record of improving growth, margins, and customer experience are important.