Category Manager

Role Overview

The primary objective of this position is to enhance growth, profitability, and market standing for the designated category by crafting and implementing well-aligned assortment, pricing, sourcing, and merchandising strategies that reflect consumer behavior and company objectives.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage the profit and loss for the entire category, ensuring financial targets are met.
• Formulate and execute yearly business plans aimed at achieving sales, margin, and inventory benchmarks.
• Use consumer insights, purchasing trends, and market analysis to shape the category's strategy.
• Track performance indicators such as sell-through rates, inventory turnover, gross margin return on investment (GMROI), and contribution margins.

Product and Assortment Management

• Develop a comprehensive and attractive product mix across various categories.
• Collaborate with design, sourcing, and vendor partners to launch new collections influenced by current fashion trends.

Vendor Relations and Sourcing

• Establish and nurture beneficial relationships with manufacturers, designers, and suppliers.
• Negotiate to secure optimal terms regarding cost, quality, and lead times to maximize profitability.
• Promote private label initiatives and exclusive brand collaborations.

Merchandising and Inventory Strategy

• Coordinate with merchandising and supply chain teams to maintain appropriate product availability across physical stores and distribution channels.
• Improve inventory management using demand forecasting, Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning, and inventory allocation techniques.
• Implement and uphold visual merchandising standards to enrich the shopping experience.

Marketing and Consumer Interaction

• Collaborate with marketing teams to design category-specific campaigns, holiday promotions, and brand partnerships.
• Utilize digital media, influencer collaborations, and content marketing to strengthen brand presence.
• Monitor customer feedback and adapt the product offering to consumer preferences.

Team Leadership and Stakeholder Collaboration

• Lead, support, and develop a team consisting of buyers, planners, and merchandisers.
• Engage with cross-functional teams including design, operations, supply chain, and retail to ensure smooth execution of category strategies.
• Prepare and deliver category performance reports and business updates to senior leadership.

Educational Requirements and Experience

• Possession of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Retail or Fashion from a recognized institution such as NIFT is compulsory.
• A professional background with 10 to 15 years of relevant experience is preferred.