Johannesburg: Category Manager (Back 2 School) (JHB Onsite) posted by Datafin

About the Role

A leading School Supplies Specialist seeks a highly strategic & target-driven Category Manager to manage its Back-to-School (BTS) Department in Johannesburg, South Africa. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing sales strategies, managing staff, finances, and stock, while ensuring achievement of regional BTS GP budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Management of the Back-to-School (BTS) Department. End to end.
• Manage income and expenses of department.
• Define departmental roles and responsibilities.
• Staff training and development.
• Effectively manage regional anomalies within BTS Department.
• Price and margin management for schools category.
• Management and creation of school supply agreements etc.
• Stock management and ability to plan and order stock, accordingly, including forecasting.
• Regional marketing.
• Continuous communication with distribution centres, finance, retail stores and other internal departments.
• Manage school relationships (teachers and school bodies).
• Strategic Planning and ability to translate such into operational plans.
• Attend new product launches.
• Organise BTS events.
• Develop sales strategy for your category in line with the national strategy for the category.
• Analyse school business and initiate corrective and improvement plans.
• Project manage all regional annual BTS launches and make sure they are all successful.
• Relationship with the Reps to promote buy in to the BTS category.
• Regular interaction with customers and calling with sales force.
• Educate Reps and make them comfortable to sell the BTS concept and product.
• Ensure achievement of regional BTS GP budget.
• Develop, monitor and maintain call cycles for yourself and Sales staff.
• Identify sales by product category/customer.
• Utilise and monitor sales reporting tools.
• Familiarity with price lists/own products/competitor products.
• Working relationship with BTS supplier base.

Requirements

• Matric / Grade 12.
• Degree/Diploma in Business Studies or Sales and Marketing Management will be advantageous.
• At least 10 years of experience in a Management role or similar.
• Advanced Computer Literacy in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent management skills.
• Prior experience in a similar environment would be an advantage.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of stationery products, specifically BTS items.
• Knowledge of sources of supply.
• Numerical skills and an aptitude for numbers.
• The candidate should be strong on business development by sourcing new sales opportunities.
• Proven track record of over-achieving deliverables.
• Appropriate technical expertise, sound sales background and ability to provide product support and customer service.
• The candidate should be a consultative seller, maintain and grow the portfolio.
• Strong communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Valid Drivers Licence and own reliable vehicle.

Qualifications

None mentioned.