Category Manager

Company Overview

Company details are not specified.

Job Summary

The Category Manager will play a pivotal role in driving the successful management and growth of specific product categories within the building materials sector. This position focuses on assortment and range building, vendor development, inventory management, pricing strategy, supplier performance tracking, demand forecasting, and customer insights. The Category Manager will work collaboratively with key stakeholders to ensure that the right products are available at the right time, enhancing both customer satisfaction and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Assortment & Range Building:

  • Determine the launch range of SKUs, focusing on the top 150-200 to meet contractor demand.
  • Map SKUs by job type, including civil work, plumbing, and electrical.
  • Identify and manage hero and long-tail SKUs to optimize working capital.
  • Conduct quarterly range reviews to make data-backed decisions for SKUs.

• Vendor Development & Procurement:

  • Onboard a minimum of two vendors per key category to mitigate single-source risk.
  • Negotiate favorable credit terms and ensure vendors can support small, frequent deliveries.
  • Build relationships with local dealers for rapid procurement solutions.

• Inventory & Availability Management:

  • Maintain an in-stock rate of over 92% for top SKUs.
  • Establish reorder points and monitor for dead stock weekly.
  • Coordinate with warehouse operations to optimize storage constraints and smart slotting.

• Pricing & Margin Management:

  • Develop a competitive pricing matrix and maintain category margins.
  • Design strategic bundle pricing and avoid blanket discounting by using targeted promotions.

• Supplier Performance Tracking:

  • Implement a vendor scorecard to monitor on-time delivery, quality, and compliance.
  • Address quality complaints proactively and foster exclusive supplier arrangements.

• Demand Forecasting & Sales Planning:

  • Collaborate with the supply chain team to create weekly demand plans based on order history and market trends.
  • Coordinate with marketing for promotions and to ensure inventory meets demand spikes.

• Customer & Contractor Insights:

  • Engage directly with customers and contractors to gather feedback and insights.
  • Track returns and complaints to identify product issues and inform assortment decisions.

Qualifications

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree; MBA preferred.
  • Background in Civil Engineering or Architecture is advantageous.

• Experience:

  • 4–8 years of experience in building materials (e.g., electrical, plumbing, hardware).
  • Exposure to B2B sales or trade channels is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with e-commerce or q-commerce category roles is a bonus.

• Skills:

  • Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills.
  • Data-driven mindset for decision-making without reliance on excessive data.
  • Comfortable in both warehouse environments and analytical settings.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in startup environments and adaptability to ambiguity.
• Familiarity with vendor management software and inventory systems.

Experience

A minimum of 4 to 8 years in relevant fields is required, with a strong preference for candidates with experience in building materials, B2B sales, and vendor negotiation.

Environment

The role typically requires being present on the warehouse floor while also engaging in analytical tasks. The work environment may vary, including both operational and office settings.

Salary

Salary details are not specified.

Growth Opportunities

Opportunities for career advancement within the company are not specified.

Benefits

Benefits information is not specified.