Associate Director/Senior Manager - Category Lead - FMCG & Staples - Retail/Convenience Store Sector

Key Responsibilities: - Consumer Insight: Understand consumer needs and translate them into a curated selection of products that solve those needs. - Product Selection: Ensure that the in-store product selection aligns with the preferences and needs of the stores target consumer base. - Trend Monitoring: Stay up-to-date with evolving consumer trends and adjust the product selection to keep it fresh and exciting. - Availability: Work closely with the inventory and operations team to ensure availability of products at the store. - Event Planning: Ensure relevant products are available for key calendar events (e.g., festivals, Mothers Day) to meet consumer demand. - Sales Performance: Track the sales velocity of products and take proactive steps to improve performance where necessary. - Procurement Strategy: Work closely with brands and suppliers to procure the most relevant and high-quality products. - Brand Collaboration: Partner with brands on their launch and go-to-market strategies at J24 stores, negotiating favorable Terms of Trade. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with marketing and operations teams to create product awareness and drive consumer engagement. - Merchandising: Ensure effective in-store merchandising to attract customers and enhance the shopping experience. - Performance Tracking: Monitor daily sales, active users, and margins for owned categories, and take action to ensure targets are met. Qualifications: - 5-10 yrs of experience with proven experience in category management, preferably within the retail or convenience store sector. - Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and market trends. - Excellent negotiation and communication skills. - Ability to work collaboratively across teams. - A keen eye for consumer trends and a passion for product curation. - Ability to attract and retain top talent, work with them to achieve goals committed.