Category Manager

Job Requirements

Core Roles & Responsibilities for Category Manager at V-Guard

Strategic Part

• Assist the process of new product development from consumer insight to product concept development, driving innovation agenda for the organization while working closely with external and internal teams (R&D, Design & Sales).
• Assist the above annual planning process for all channels (General Trade, Modern Trade, eCommerce, Exports, CSD, etc.) to have a comprehensive category map for different product categories.
• Undertake/Drive market scan to identify new potential categories basis core/adjacency to existing business or basis any opportunity that may come up. Market scan will include preparing business plans, go-to-market plans and launch plans as well.
• Lead/Assist the commercial refresh process to ensure, channel wise product plan & channel wise profitability plan is designed and delivered, product life cycle management decisions – Refresh/Reposition/Re-price.
• Assist in building a 5 yr category and P&L roadmap for designated category.

Operating Part

• Review the monthly sales and margin for the designated category.
• Pricing management – Setting MOP bands, DP’s and scheme analysis.
• Lead/assist work for effective 360-degree communication to ensure product value proposition reaches target customers.
• Conduct regular competition benchmarking – product portfolio, pricing, communication across different channels.
• Assist in designing the core market research brief - projects including U&A, Continuous Brand Track, opportunity analysis, consumer immersion, competitive analysis & social media listening to improve brand equity.
• Drive planned/adhoc Micro Marketing Plans across planned geographies for the branch/region.

Supporting Responsibilities for Category Manager at V-Guard

• Support New Product Development team in the product planning journey from feasibility (technical, commercial, etc) to product proposal.
• Support Brand & Communication (B&C) team so to translate the effective communication plan into action across ATL/BTL/Digital.
• Support/Guide R&D team as they work on the TRM, providing market side inputs.

Candidate Must Have:

• 2-3 years of work experience working across Category Planning/Business Planning/Product Management
• OR
• 2-3 years of consulting experience in FMCG/FMCD across strategy and implementation.
• Experience in assisting the product portfolio, utilizing consumer usage, attitudes, needs and wants for product development direction.
• New product launch know-how (economics, process, program, skills).
• P&L understanding.
• Have experience planning and executing marketing strategies and activities that drive business results while remaining true to the brand.
• Ability to turn online and offline data into meaningful insights and insights that drive action.
• Have sharp analytical skills and strong financial acumen.
• Leading and thriving in ambiguity & cross group collaboration.
• Proactive individual that is a self-starter and takes initiative.
• Strong, concise presentation skills and storytelling.
• Innovative, team oriented, and have a desire to participate in change and appreciate a dynamic environment with rapidly changing priorities.
• Be a relentless driver who is skilled in getting work done through influence of others - both internally at V-Guard and externally through partners.
• MBA from premier business schools preferred.