Category Head Full Time

Role Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to head the FMCG branded categories. The incumbent will be responsible for driving category growth, buying and merchandising, optimizing assortment, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring profitability through effective planning, sourcing, and inventory management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Category Strategy & Growth

• Define and execute category strategies aligned with overall business objectives
• Drive revenue, margins, and market share for branded categories
• Identify growth opportunities, new brands, and product trends

2. Buying & Vendor Management

• Lead sourcing and buying decisions for FMCG branded products
• Build and maintain strong relationships with national and regional brands
• Negotiate commercials, margins, and exclusive partnerships

3. Assortment Planning & Merchandising

• Develop optimal assortment mix based on consumer insights and sales data
• Ensure right product availability across stores/warehouses
• Monitor product lifecycle and manage discounts and discontinuations

4. Inventory & Supply Chain Optimization

• Drive inventory turns, reduce stock-outs and overstock situations
• Collaborate with supply chain teams for demand forecasting and replenishment
• Ensure efficient working capital management

5. Pricing & Promotions

• Define pricing strategy in line with market competition
• Plan and execute promotional campaigns to drive sales
• Track pricing trends and competitor benchmarks

6. Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing buying and merchandising team
• Set KPIs and monitor team performance
• Foster a data-driven and customer-centric culture

7. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing, operations, finance, and supply chain teams
• Support new store launches and category expansions
• Align merchandising strategies with marketing campaigns

Desired Candidate Profile:

Experience:

• 12–18+ years in leading FMCG category, preferably in Retail / E-commerce
• Proven experience in managing branded categories at scale
• Strong exposure to vendor negotiations and category P&L ownership

Education:

• MBA / PGDM (Mandatory) or equivalent qualification