Category Manager - Staples

About the Role

This position is with a client company operating in the retail sector, located in Bangalore. It is an associate-level, full-time role focusing on category management for staples such as oils, grains, pulses, and spices. The role surpasses traditional procurement by acting as a business owner responsible for the overall category including strategy, vendor relations, pricing, availability, and profit and loss management.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee category profit and loss, targeting increased revenue and margins beyond branded benchmarks.
• Manage supplier sourcing and supply chain by onboarding manufacturers and contract partners, negotiating terms, and ensuring quality and cost efficiency.
• Lead product development with vendor collaboration, defining product standards, and maintaining quality consistency.
• Design and implement pricing strategies sensitive to commodity fluctuations balancing margin growth and competitiveness.
• Create and manage a streamlined, high-turnover product assortment with merchandising and bundling tactics to enhance customer adoption.
• Forecast demand, ensure inventory availability, and scale successful SKUs across regions and channels.
• Facilitate category growth and brand penetration via coordinated marketing and operational initiatives; monitor customer feedback and repeat purchase metrics.
• Analyze and track key performance indicators including gross margin percentage, share in category, sell-through rates, inventory turnover, and repeat purchases; take action on underperforming products.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 3 years of experience, preferably 3 to 6 years, in staples procurement, commodity trading, or category management.
• Expertise in staples such as oils, grains, spices, pulses, or related categories.
• Experience engaging with manufacturers and contract production partners.
• Strong commercial acumen and P&L responsibility mindset.
• In-depth knowledge of commodity market cycles and cost structures.
• Ability to optimize cost, quality, and consumer value effectively.
• Structured and analytical thinker with excellent execution skills and a strong sense of ownership.

Additional Information

The hiring process may involve the use of artificial intelligence tools for screening applications and analyzing candidate materials. These tools support the recruitment team but do not replace human decision-making. For further details on data processing, candidates may inquire accordingly.