Roles and Responsibilities Category Manager (Retail) Location: Fourways, Johannesburg (Head Office) Type: Full-Time | Office-Based (100% On-site) Salary: Market related Working Hours: 08:00 17:00 or 09:00 18:00 (5-day work week) Benefits: 1-month performance bonus Quarterly progress bonus 21 days annual leave (dependent on start date) Eligibility for company share scheme Pension fund (10% split between Employer and Employee) Medical aid (50/50 contribution) included in CTC Please note: The salaries offered by our clients are determined in accordance with market standards, while considering the candidate’s qualifications, skills, and level of experience Start Date: Urgent requirement Our client is seeking a results-driven Category Manager to develop and deliver category strategy, ensuring a strong, relevant and profitable offer that meets the needs of South African customers. This role focuses on driving category performance across sales, margins, stock, customer satisfaction and commercial impact in a fast-paced retail environment. Minimum Requirements: Proven Category Manager / Buyer experience within retail (non-food experience essential) Relevant tertiary qualification Strong commercial and analytical capability Ability to manage complex supplier relationships Strategic thinking with strong execution skills Key Responsibilities: Category Strategy & Market Insights: Develop a data-driven omnichannel category strategy aligned to market and customer trends Conduct store visits, surveys, reviews and market analysis to identify growth opportunities Build 3-year strategic plans and annual action plans Range & Supplier Management: Build relevant and sustainable product ranges using structured range frameworks Define category architecture and supplier strategies Manage and negotiate with local and international suppliers Pricing, Promotions & Commercial Performance: Define pricing rules with internal pricing teams Select products for promotional activity Monitor competitor pricing and product assortments Merchandising & E-Commerce Alignment: Align in-store merchandising and layouts with commercial strategy Ensure online product content and value propositions are accurate and aligned Maintain end-to-end customer value consistency Operational Excellence & Store Collaboration: Partner with stores to drive execution, availability and customer satisfaction Act quickly on quality, availability and customer concerns AI, Digital Tools & Productivity: Leverage AI tools to improve research, analytics and efficiency Coach team members on digital adoption People Leadership: Lead and develop Product Management and Data Quality Specialists Drive team performance through KPIs, reviews and development plans Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with product regulations and company policies Promote responsible sourcing and sustainable category development Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Turnover and margin growth Stock holding and stock days Market share improvement Supplier negotiation outcomes Category P&L performance Customer ratings and range quality Online data accuracy and operational execution Team development and performance Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted Employment Details Employment Type: Permanent Employment Industry: Wholesale and Retail Work space preference: Work Onsite Ideal work province: Gauteng Ideal work city: Johannesburg Salary bracket: R 30000 – 50000 Drivers License: CODE B (Car) Own car needed: No

Category Manager Shape category strategy and growth for a leading retail home-improvement brand. Fourways, Johannesburg | Retail / FMCG | Category & Product Management Salary: R60 000 to R80 000 per month About Our Client Our client is a fast-growing retail group in the home improvement and DIY sector, offering strong, relevant product ranges supported by a customer-first mindset. Operating in a competitive and fast-moving market, they use data-driven decision-making to stay ahead and continuously refine their offer. The culture is built on respect, commitment, trust and autonomy, with open communication and collaboration at every level. With clear career pathways, ongoing learning and a progress bonus tied to shared success, this is a place where you can grow while making a meaningful impact. The Role: Category Manager As Category Manager, you will take full strategic and operational ownership of assigned product categories. The role exists to shape and implement category strategies, optimise the product lifecycle, and drive both sales and profitability. You will ensure your categories offer a compelling customer experience while supporting overall business objectives. Working closely with the Group Market Leader and cross-functional teams, youll contribute directly to achieving commercial and operational targets. Key Responsibilities Define and implement category strategies aligned with market trends, customer needs, and the overall offer strategy Conduct continuous market and competitor analysis to identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and differentiation Integrate customer insights and feedback into category plans Oversee product selection, pricing, merchandising, and full lifecycle management for assigned categories Collaborate with suppliers to negotiate terms, ensure availability, and maintain quality standards Monitor category performance metrics, including sales, margin, stock, and inventory turnover Implement corrective plans to address underperforming products or ranges Work with marketing, supply chain, and internal teams to execute category plans and promotional activities Prepare and present updates, reports, and insights to the Group Market Leader and leadership teams About You Experience in category management, product management, or a similar retail/FMCG role Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable plans Skilled in supplier negotiation, lifecycle management, and merchandising principles Organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Collaborative, proactive, and comfortable working cross-functionally Customer-focused mindset with a drive for continuous improvement and commercial results