Category Manager - IT & Telecom Background

Responsible for budgeting, forecasting, making category-level strategy, and achieving Sales and Margin targets assigned to a particular category Lead negotiations on annual contract terms with suppliers to maximize benefits for both Company and the suppliers including margins, pricing and volumes, product range, MSL, returns and replenishment, payment terms, etc Work closely with stores to ensure a healthy store level of sales and Profit and maintain healthy inventory at each store Keep up to date with the latest retail and category trends about new and innovative products and ways of displaying products To have a close eye on each competition, making counter strategies to gain market share. Ensure category liaison with key internal interfaces such as Product Registration, Vendor coordination, finance reconciliations for the category, Brand level reconciliation for the respective category, and Store teams to ensure category processes and procedures are implemented effectively. Oversee management of all supplier reconciliation, rebates, and any disputes. Ensure optimum category inventory levels are maintained keeping in mind store requirements as well as working capital constraints, and OTB management. Monitor and make recommendations for customer product needs, and preferences based on internal survey data and GFK data, and change Product range/ buying patterns within the category Making weekly/ Monthly category level promotional plans Ensure planograms and assortment are up to date and make timely clearance plans for Ageing and EOL inventory. Ensure effective in-season management of the assigned category/department through regular analysis and action plans based on the performance around the following anchors: sales vs. Stock, stock analysis, stock balancing, margin analysis Oversee management of organization training needs for training provided by suppliers for new products Competition analysis – review and analyze competition offers compared to SDG offers. Suggest improvements based on the analysis Vendor relationship management. Category P&L. Fill rate and run rate.

Qualitative Requirements: Experience: More than 3 years of experience in Category Management in the Retail Industry preferably in the Electronics industry Previous Telecom & IT background Educational Qualification: Post Graduate Professional Certifications: MBA in Sales and Marketing is desirable- Preferred. Skills & Abilities: Strong Planning and Organizing Skills, Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills, Communication Skills, Negotiation & Presentation Skills