Category Manager

This role is for one of the Weekday's clients Salary range: Rs 1500000 - Rs 2500000 (ie INR 15-25 LPA)

Experience: 3+ yrs Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Job Type: Full-Time

We are looking for a proactive and analytical Category Manager to drive the growth, performance, and profitability of assigned product categories. This role is ideal for professionals who are passionate about category strategy, assortment planning, vendor management, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing category plans, identifying market opportunities, optimizing product portfolios, and ensuring business objectives are achieved through data-driven decision-making. As a Category Manager, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including merchandising, sourcing, operations, marketing, and supply chain to build competitive category strategies that maximize revenue and improve customer satisfaction. You will analyze market trends, consumer behavior, pricing strategies, and competitive landscapes to make informed business decisions while maintaining strong supplier relationships. This role requires commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to balance customer needs with business goals in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with overall business objectives and revenue targets.
• Manage the complete lifecycle of assigned product categories, including assortment planning, pricing, promotions, and performance optimization.
• Analyze sales trends, customer preferences, competitor activities, and market insights to identify growth opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors while negotiating commercial terms, pricing, and promotional support.
• Monitor category performance through key business metrics and recommend initiatives to improve sales, profitability, and inventory efficiency.
• Collaborate with merchandising, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product launches, promotional campaigns, and inventory availability.
• Drive assortment optimization by identifying high-performing products and rationalizing underperforming SKUs.
• Develop pricing strategies that enhance competitiveness while maintaining target margins.
• Forecast demand and work closely with planning teams to ensure optimal stock levels and minimize inventory risks.
• Prepare regular business reviews, category performance reports, and actionable recommendations for senior management.
• Identify process improvements and implement best practices to enhance category performance and operational efficiency.
• Stay updated with industry trends, customer expectations, and emerging market opportunities to maintain a competitive advantage.

• 3+ years of experience in Category Management, Merchandising, Buying, or a related commercial function.
• Strong understanding of category planning, assortment management, pricing strategies, and vendor management.
• Proven ability to analyze business data and translate insights into effective commercial strategies.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to deliver category growth and operational excellence.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with proficiency in Microsoft Excel and business reporting tools.
• Ability to balance commercial objectives with customer experience and market competitiveness.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence decision-making across teams.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Self-driven, collaborative, and passionate about driving category performance through continuous improvement and innovation.