Category Manager

Job Responsibility

Job Description

• Conduct research and surveys to ensure their team understand market trends, supplier landscapes and consumer preferences within their assigned category
• Meet and discuss with shortlisted potential suppliers based on factors such as quality, reliability, costs, and sustainability. Asses and make recommendations for supplier selection.
• Identify opportunities, evaluate current buying status, and negotiate with suppliers. Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors to ensure reliable, loyalty and cost-effective sources of supply.
• Analyse pricing structures and cost factors to optimize purchasing decisions. Seek opportunities for cost savings, opportunities for marketing/merchandising back margins, and negotiate favourable terms.
• Monitor and manage existing inventory levels to ensure adequate stock (with consideration for seasonal sales) while minimizing excess inventory holding and associated costs.
• Ensure that products or services purchased meet quality standards and specifications. Address any quality issues with suppliers immediately.
• Draft, review, and manage contracts and agreements with suppliers. Ensure terms and conditions are favourable for the organization
• Collaborate with other departments, such as supply chain, operations and logistics, to develop accurate demand forecasts for the category.
• Come up with budgeting plans and work within budget constraints and help control costs associated with the category.
• Ensure that the company makes sustains and is moving towards developing a diversified procurement efforts. Ensure the category has products that is varied in price points, appealing for a wide range of customer, and is thoughtfully curated to our customer base.
• Prepare and present reports on category performance, cost savings, and procurement metrics to management.
• Project category sales projections based on existing/future procurement plans. Prepare reports on projections for category turnover days.
• Prepare proposals to be presented to a forum (Directors) to decide if a product should be listed/de-listed.

Requirements

Job Requirements

• Minimum 3 year experience as a purchasing or category manager in any FMCG retail company
• Good command of English & Bahasa Malaysia - proficiency in MS Office system is a must
• Able to communicate and work well in a team
• Have a deep understanding of the SOP and processes related to Purchasing / Category
• Self-motivated, attentive to details and able to work in a fast-paced environment