Category Manager (FMCG/Dairy)

• 1.
• Role and Scope of the Task
• The role of the Category Manager is:
• 1. to source products at the lowest possible cost price and best terms
• 2. create and source highly attractive private label products that are equal or better in quality than comparable brands
• 3. support the process of defining and constantly adjusting the assortment
• 4. monitor the market and propose the most competitive sales prices
• The CM bears responsibility for the entire life cycle of his category of products: from sourcing (brands) or inception (private label products) to quality control and eventually sales.
• The CM is a manager whose role is critical in helping to define the company’s customer proposition as far as products are concerned.
• He works within a team of CM’s, and he should make readily use of their expertise.

In his work the CM will aim to promote the key parts of the “hard discount concept”

• Lowest possible sales prices
• Key role of private label products which should be of excellent quality against comparable brands
• Limited and yet most attractive assortment
• Cost consciousness and efficiency of work processes
• The Category Manager adheres to and endeavors to foster the company philosophy as it pertains to staff: efficient and hard working in a friendly environment that is characterized by mutual respect of all associates.
• 2.
• Reporting Lines and Authority
• On professional matters the CM reports to the Chief Purchasing Officer/ Group CM    ( if applicable )
• At a disciplinary level the CM is accountable to the Chief Executive Officer.
• Purchasing assistants report to the CM on professional matters
• The CM has authority to sign Purchasing Contracts along with the CPO.
• His limit for incurring company expenses is defined in a separate company procedure.
• 3.
• Specific tasks

In his daily work the Category Manager will execute the following tasks

• Be an expert in his category of products
• Observe the market (competitors) to constantly have a comprehensive view on products and product developments
• Carry out regular store visits: own stores, competitors including specific local formats such as local supermarkets, Mom and Pop stores, wet markets
• Support the process of defining and constantly adjusting the assortment
• Negotiate lowest possible cost prices and best possible terms (a.m. payment terms)
• Based on the market situation propose private label products
• Find the best suitable suppliers for brand and private label products
• Along with suppliers develop private label products and source them
• Develop stable and long-term relationships with suitable suppliers
• Monitor the quality of products, most critically private label products, by o Being involved in quality control in the warehouses: provide guidance and issue product sheets to enable receiving and regional purchasing to exercise QC o Carrying out regular quality controls himself (tastings with CM’s or senior management) o Supervise external quality control through QC organizations (laboratories)
• Carry out price surveys in competitor stores
• Advise and monitor price surveys that are carried out by external or internal people
• Prepare and participate in a ca. monthly meeting, the General Purchasing Meeting, in which he will lay out his proposals for products and sales prices.
• Prepare and participate in a ca. weekly meeting, the Weekly Sales Meeting, in which short term and operational matters will be decided: product introductions, sales price changes, promotional activities (launch and analysis), a few other day to day matters that may be brought forward by Central Purchasing or Sales
• Prepare and check key internal documents: reports, weekly assortment information to regional offices (warehouses), weekly circular to stores
• Advise his line manager and the senior management of the company on anything as it pertains to our customer offering
• Furthermore, the CM may be instructed by his line manager to carry out any other reasonable tasks than those described above.
• 4.
• Performance measure
• The CM’s work overall and his development is being assessed by the CPO. Besides regular exchange with the CPO, the CM should be subject to a formal assessment every half year.

More specifically he is being measured in his category of products on the development of

• Margin
• Sales
• Price gap to a panel of competitors

• Bachelor’s degree in Business / Supply Chain / Economics (MBA is a plus) ·       3–5 years experience in retail/FMCG, ưu tiên Category Manager / Buyer ·       Strong negotiation & supplier management skills ·       Good understanding of pricing, margin & cost optimization ·       Strong analytical skills (Excel, data-driven mindset)         Good English communication (mandatory), able to work with foreign management