Category Manager.GM & Textile Houseware Housekeeping

About the Role

Panda Retail Company is seeking a Category *** & Textile - Houseware, Housekeeping to join their team in Jeddah. This role is responsible for developing and executing category business plans with a customer-centric approach. The Category Manager will manage the overall performance of assigned categories by developing and implementing strategies across product assortment, pricing, promotions, shelf presentation, supplier management, and inventory planning. The position requires 5-10 years of relevant experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the overall performance, sales, profitability, and growth of assigned categories.
• Develop category strategies and translate them into actionable plans for each sub-category, including defining category roles and Private Label/Own Brand strategies.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly category performance reviews and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and optimize product assortment based on customer needs, market trends, and performance, including managing category rationalization.
• Define and implement pricing strategies, set and review selling prices, and manage category margins and profitability.
• Plan and manage category promotional activities, including item selection, communication, forecasting, and post-promotion reviews.
• Build sustainable Joint Business Plans (JBPs) with key suppliers, manage supplier communication, and support negotiations.
• Improve inventory turns while maintaining appropriate product availability, and manage inventory-related decisions.
• Manage category resets, monitor planogram execution, and apply Category Management (CATMAN) principles to enhance in-store execution.

Category Strategy and Performance Management

This role involves developing annual category growth and operating plans, identifying assortment gaps, market opportunities, and new products or business models. The Category Manager will analyze customer behavior, market trends, and sales performance to inform category decisions and design category dimensions and planograms according to customer needs and company strategy.

Supplier and Inventory Management

The Category Manager will work closely with internal teams and suppliers to drive category sales, profitability, availability, and customer satisfaction. This includes aligning on category plans, promotional activities, and growth opportunities with suppliers. The role also involves setting and reviewing Minimum Facing Quantity (MFQ) and Minimum Display Quantity (MDQ) to improve availability, and collaborating with Supply Chain and Operations to enhance stock efficiency and forecasting.

People Management

The Category Manager will set clear objectives and KPIs for direct reports, regularly review their performance, and identify training and development needs. This includes providing coaching and support to foster employee development, engagement, and performance, ensuring appropriate team resources are available to achieve category objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in category management or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute category business plans.
• Strong analytical skills for customer behavior, market trends, and sales performance.
• Experience in supplier management and negotiation.
• Proficiency in inventory planning and management.