Our Client, Global Organisation is seeking a Category Manager to join their Team in Edenvale.

Preference will be given to candidates who have exposure to tiling/ tiling industry/tiling knowledge. Candidates Must have retail experience. Extended working hours are required dependent on business requirement (includes Weekend and public holidays) due to nature of business. Ability to work weekends and exposure to working on the floor in store.

Purpose of the role
To manage a category of products for our company. Responsible for the visual merchandising, pricing and overall promotion of the product category in order to maximise costumer appeal.

Main responsibilities

Understanding of customer needs
Analyse market insights to determine industry and customer trends
Working knowledge of buying practices, retail environment
Foster an engaging, interactive and satisfying relationship with customers

Buying of Products

Based on the customer needs, identify suppliers for the products
Negotiate cost effective prices with vendors and suppliers
Ordering of products based of quality, convenience and price
Ensure product availability and accessibility
Assume responsibility of budget development and revenue for product category
Foster trust relationships with vendors and suppliers to achieve better prices and quality of products

Visual Merchandising

Determine the positioning of a product category to maximise visibility
Planning and inventory control

Sales contribution

Optimise sales for a range of products
Liaise with sales consultants to determine competitive prices and promotional activities of a product
Devise long term development strategies for product categories
Develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products
Collaborate with buyers and merchandisers to expand product categories

Profile
The successful candidate should have the following skills, experience and attributes:

A degree in business administration or marketing related
Proven experience as a buyer, product or category manager in retail
Solid knowledge of category management, marketing and sales principles
Understanding of data analysis and forecasting methods
Excellent communication and people skills
Logical thinking with a strategic ability
Curious and assumes initiative
Ability to lead and influence
Negotiation skills
Relationship management
Self-confident, hardworking and lives by example
Team player who is also comfortable in working as an individual