Category Manager - Pharma Retail

Category Manager - Pharma Retail Bengaluru | On-site + Store Visits Monday - Saturday 3 - 6 Years Experience About the Role: We are looking for a Category Manager to manage the right products, inventory, vendors, and availability across stores. The role will focus on ensuring products are available when needed while controlling excess stock, expiry, and inventory costs. Key Responsibilities: - Manage product assortment/SKUs across different stores based on customer demand. - Analyse sales and demand to maintain the right inventory levels and stock availability. - Plan replenishment, reorder levels, safety stock, and store-wise allocation. - Identify and manage slow-moving, excess, and expiry-prone inventory. - Manage relationships with distributors, stockists, and C&F partners. - Negotiate pricing, margins, schemes, credit terms, and return policies with vendors. - Track product costs and work towards improving category profitability. - Analyse store and sales data to identify stockout and demand trends. - Coordinate with store and sales teams to improve product availability. - Support new store launches and seasonal inventory planning. Must Have: - 3 - 6 years of experience in Category Management, Buying, Merchandising, or Inventory Planning. - Experience in pharma retail, e-pharmacy, pharma distribution, or quick commerce preferred. - Good understanding of the Indian pharma supply chain, including margins, schemes, batches, expiry, and returns. - Strong Excel/Google Sheets and data analysis skills. - Experience working with ERP/WMS/inventory management systems. - Experience in vendor management and negotiation. - Willingness to visit stores and work closely with retail teams. Good to Have: - B.Pharm/D.Pharm/PG or science background with pharma experience. - Experience in quick commerce or private-label/generic products. - Exposure to demand forecasting and replenishment tools. Ideal Candidate: Someone with strong experience across category management, inventory planning, procurement, vendor management, and pharma retail operations.