2,135 Category Manager jobs in South Africa

Overview

The role is responsible for all Supply Chain related tasks under the Category Management framework, including strategic sourcing; vendor, stakeholder, contract, and risk management. Sourcing Managers will also focus on targeted cost savings and innovations that result in improved operational efficiencies for the organisation. Management support and mentorship are also key responsibilities of the role.

• Category Management
  • Category Managers report into the Head: Category Sourcing. The role is responsible for the below deliverables within the Category Management team.
  • Manage all procurement-related activities of third party spend within the various categories, including strategic sourcing initiatives (RFQ/I/P/T/X).
  • Identify, implement and maintain the relevant commodity and service contracts (ad hoc and committed spend) to support the business.
  • Achieve targeted cost savings, including effective negotiation processes with vendors
  • Develop and maintain expert knowledge of the respective supply markets, competitors and product/service innovations.
  • Facilitate implementation of procurement change initiatives within the various categories to improve business performance.
  • Provide support to the company’s acquisition strategies by identifying and interrogating suitable opportunities within the various spend categories for presentation to management.
• Vendor Management: Manage all aspects of the vendor rationalization strategy within the various categories to support the business nationally, including vendor selection, compliance and performance.
• Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with internal and external customers with a view to enhancing the customer experience.
• Contract Management: Manage ALL contracts within the various categories across its lifecycle, including terminations, renewals and re-assignments. Identify and manage risk to the business together with the cross-functional contracting team (Legal, Operations, Maintenance Engineering).
• Innovation: Identify innovative procurement solutions that provide efficiencies for the organisation.
• Management support: Perform procurement analyses and reporting to assist management to track, monitor and achieve departmental targets.
• Mentorship: perform a mentorship role to Procurement officers, Buyers and Administrators

The Applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Undergraduate diploma / degree in supply chain / commerce
• Institute of Purchasing and Supply SA / CIPS is preferred
• Code 8 drivers license
• Greater than 5 years’ experience in Procurement and Supply Chain
• Procurement
• Category Management
• Programme Management
• Report writing skills
• General knowledge in Finance
• General knowledge in Law
• General knowledge in auditing
• MS Office
• Programme Management tools
• SAP
• A general understanding of Health and Safety

• RITCH Values - Respect, Integrity, Trust, Commitment, Honesty
• Proactive
• Adaptable
• Planner / Organizer
• Self-starter that’s Deadline Driven
• Listening skills
• Mentor
• Decisive
• Professional
• Lead “from the front” and “by example”
• Structured with attention to detail and accuracy
• Analytical
• Innovative problem-solving skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Think conceptually and create multiple scenarios and hypotheses
• Collaborative team player, work co-operatively, and share responsibility with others
• Interact and present to executive level clients
• Exceptional Negotiation Skills
• Able to handle pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Marketing and Sales

• Facilities Services

Overview

Development of category vision, strategy, & national shopper / trade marketing plans leveraging identified category growth drivers in alignment with brand strategies & plans.

Qualification(s)

Relevant Business Degree, with a Sales, Marketing or Business management specialization.

Experience and Skills

• Sound Category, Marketing, Operations and Key Accounts background
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Category Management / Marketing / Sales in FMCG
• Proficient in MS Office : Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint
• Proven success in commercial-focused environment
• Proven ability to develop strong working relationships
• Advanced communication skills (written, oral and listening)
• Strong customer relationship building skills
• Internal and external customer service skills

Role Purpose

The role is responsible for all Supply Chain related tasks under the Category Management framework, including strategic sourcing; vendor, stakeholder, contract, and risk management. Sourcing Managers will also focus on targeted cost savings and innovations that result in improved operational efficiencies for the organisation. Management support and mentorship are also key responsibilities of the role.

• Category Management
  • Category Managers report into the Head: Category Sourcing. The role is responsible for the below deliverables within the Category Management team.
  • Manage all procurement-related activities of third party spend within the various categories, including strategic sourcing initiatives (RFQ/I/P/T/X).
  • Identify, implement and maintain the relevant commodity and service contracts (ad hoc and committed spend) to support the business.
  • Aim to achieve targeted cost savings, including effective negotiation processes with vendors.
  • Develop and maintain expert knowledge of the respective supply markets, competitors and product/service innovations.
  • Facilitate implementation of procurement change initiatives within the various categories to improve business performance.
  • Provide support to the company’s acquisition strategies by identifying and interrogating suitable opportunities within the various spend categories for presentation to management.
• Vendor Management: Manage all aspects of the vendor rationalization strategy within the various categories to support the business nationally, including vendor selection, compliance and performance.
• Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with internal and external customers with a view to enhancing the customer experience.
• Contract Management: Manage ALL contracts within the various categories across its lifecycle, including terminations, renewals, extensions and re-assignments. Identify and manage risk to the business together with the cross-functional contracting team (Legal, Operations, Maintenance Engineering).
• Innovation: Identify innovative procurement solutions that provide efficiencies for the organisation.
• Management support: Perform procurement analyses and reporting to assist management to track, monitor and achieve departmental targets.
• Mentorship: perform a mentorship role to Procurement officers, Buyers and Administrators.

The Applicant must meet the following requirements:

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Undergraduate diploma / degree in supply chain / commerce
• Institute of Purchasing and Supply SA / CIPS is preferred
• Code 8 drivers license
• Greater than 5 years’ experience in Procurement and Supply Chain
• Procurement
• Category Management
• Programme Management
• Report writing skills
• General knowledge in Finance
• General knowledge in Law
• General knowledge in auditing
• MS Office
• Programme Management tools
• SAP
• A general understanding of Health and Safety

• RITCH Values - Respect, Integrity, Trust, Commitment, Honesty
• Proactive
• Adaptable
• Planner / Organizer
• Self-starter that’s Deadline Driven
• Listening skills
• Mentor
• Decisive
• Professional
• Lead “from the front” and “by example”
• Structured with attention to detail and accuracy
• Analytical
• Innovative problem-solving skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Think conceptually and create multiple scenarios and hypotheses
• Collaborative team player, work co-operatively, and share responsibility with others
• Interact and present to executive level clients
• Exceptional Negotiation Skills
• Able to handle pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential

Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Western Cape

Contract: Permanent

EE position: No

Responsible for leading the co-ordination of the end to end category strategy by inspiring the team in the co creation and execution of both short term tactical and long term strategy to ensure the delivery of sustainable profit growth and operational excellence while living the woolies values.

• Interprets and translates strategy into commercially viable operating plans to ensure delivery of operational excellence
• Lead the co-creation of the strategy by gathering input from the teams, market and partners
• Data Intelligence with a honed ability to read, analyse, interpret & communicate data insights to inform and set strategies or tactical direction to create business opportunities
• Establish and execute long term objectives across commercial, customer and supplier strategy
• Integrates and aligns category assessments with the Foods strategy to create and deliver 3 year operating plans
• Understands market share and supplier inputs to create leading industry operating plans and innovation
• Co-ordinate category assessment program across the Matrix Team
• Drive and enable profitable growth of the Category
• Conducts analyses and tracking of management accounts
• Accountable for the oversight and management of KPIs to ensure maximum sales, profitability and market share accretion at a product group level
• Deploy tactical strategies to manage monthly performance against KPI's at product group level
• Monitors financial performance of the business/ department and proactively able to identify and build risk mitigation plans to drive business performance
• Lead, mentor and support the matrix team to deliver on strategic outcomes
• Effective management and co-ordination team engagements
• Ability to effectively communicate and make decisions taking into consideration multiple, diverse view points
• Manage and co-ordinate rhythm and pace of category by inspiring a culture within the teams to create and sustain momentum
• Identify potential issues and mitigate by having difficult conversations in order to ensure the delivery of business standards and values
• Manages mutually beneficial stakeholder relationships and ensures stakeholders execute and deliver on strategy
• Facilitates a cross functional supplier base including other stakeholders to build mutually beneficial objectives
• Manages various stakeholders towards the execution and delivery of business projects and initiatives
• Ensures gathering and consolidation of pertinent information from various stakeholders within reasonable timeframes
• Creates, builds & maintains sustainable, mutually beneficial supplier relationships based on shared values & an aspirational product offering that is commercially viable.
• Creates well defined and articulated supplier strategy with clear objectives and transformation plans
• Identifies suppliers that are aligned to the business' values and can fulfill current gaps

• Leading People
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Dynamic leadership and adaptability
• Visionary Merchant
• Data Intelligence
• Commercial Acumen
• Customer Obsessed
• Pressure
• Project Mindset
• Retail Industry Knowledge
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Formal Qualification needed/ Relevant diploma/degree
• Minimum 8-10 years’ experience
• Retail/FMCG experience required
• Buying experience required
• Additional requirements (tool of trade/systems knowledge)
• International travel
• Buying systems experience
• MS suite proficiency
• Additional knowledge/ experience needed to fulfill role; work conditions (such as shift work, international travel required)
• Personal Care, H&C experience will be advantageous
• 3-5 years managing of a team/leading people experience required

Job category: Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: No

The purpose of this position is to drive turnover, gain market share and maximize SPAR DC and retailer profitability through careful planning, purchasing, and sales strategies, in line with retail and DC requirements.

1. Driving and achieving DC and Retail sales and profitability budgets and targets.
2. Negotiating and delivering pricing competitiveness against competitors and budgeted retail margins to members and the DC.
3. Working with suppliers, retailers, and DC buying, retail operations and logistics teams to grow retailer loyalty and competitive advantage.
4. Creating and executing ad hoc and regional promotions to drive volume at retail through the DC.
5. Managing suppliers service levels by exceeding efficiencies and business indicators including, but not limited to:
1. Supplier order fill
2. Supplier out of stocks
3. Stock days
4. Stock turn
5. Stock distribution and penetration at retail
6. Full Category management accountability.
7. Building strategic business relationships with suppliers and retail store owners and managers.
8. Driving product development, innovation and other sales initiatives.
9. Assisting retailers with store standards, specs, ranging, pricing, and in store promotions.
10. Leadership of a support team.

1. Minimum 3 years Retail / FMCG experience in a marketing position.
2. Experience in sales, and managing and developing good customer relationships.
3. Buying and category management related experience.

1. Sound interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills.
2. Thorough knowledge of buying systems and processes.
3. Comprehensive knowledge of product range requirements within a supermarket environment.
4. Financial acumen, leadership skills and attention to detail.
5. Strong drive, initiative, sense of urgency and use of innovation to resolve business challenges in a pressurized/demanding work environment.

Bedrijfsomschrijving

Een internationaal groothandel met korte communicatielijnen en een grote servicegerichtheid. Een familiebedrijf met ongeveer 100 medewerkers.

Functieomschrijving

Snel schakelen, creatieve gedachtes en een groot verantwoordelijkheidsgevoel zijn van belang binnen deze functie van Category Manager. De vacature staat open bij een internationale handelsorganisatie in omgeving Eindhoven. Als Category Manager weet je wat er speelt in de markt en deze kennis weet je te vertalen in aantrekkelijke producten en concepten.

Je bent verantwoordelijk voor het assortiment artikelen van de organisatie. Het komt voor dat je naar het buitenland reist voor het bezoek van leveranciers. Je onderhoudt intensief contact met bestaande leveranciers en werkt aan contact met nieuwe relaties.

Als Category Manager bestaan je werkzaamheden en verantwoordelijkheden uit:

- Opstellen van een categorieplan en budget

- Omzetten van de strategie in succesvol beleid

- Je bent verantwoordelijk voor productinformatie

- Je ondersteunt de inkoop bij het uitbreiden van het assortiment

- Bijwonen van assortiment overleg waar verbeteringen en nieuwe producten besproken worden

- Ontwikkelen van nieuwe producten binnen een categorie

- Naast leveranciers bezoeken in binnen- en buitenland ontvang je ook leveranciers om de innovatie

van producten te bespreken

Je werkt in deze functie nauw samen met sales. Je rapporteer aan de Algemeen Directeur.

Functie-eisen

Voor deze commerciële uitdaging zijn wij op zoek naar een Category Manager die dicht op de markt zit en geen kansen laat schieten. Daarnaast verwachten wij:

- HBO werk- en denkniveau met een afgeronde opleiding zoals Commerciële Economie, Small Business & Retail Management of Productmanagement

- Je hebt ervaring binnen de retail of bij voorkeur bouwmaterialenhandel

- Je beheerst de Nederlandse, Engelse en bij voorkeur ook Duitse taal in woord en geschrift

- Je bent bereid om te reizen voor het bezoeken van klanten, leveranciers of beurzen

- Je beschikt over overtuigingskracht en je kunt anderen op basis van goede argumenten overtuigen

Arbeidsvoorwaarden

Wat bieden we jou?

- Een fulltime functie van maandag t/m vrijdag van 8:30 tot 17:00 uur

- Kilometervergoeding voor woon-werkverkeer

- Een marktconform salaris tussen € 4.000,- tot € 5.000,- bruto per maand

- Je maakt internationale reizen

- Mogelijkheden om opleidingen en trainingen te volgen

- Prettige werkomgeving binnen een internationaal georiënteerde organisatie

Sollicitatieprocedure

De sollicitatieprocedure voor deze vacature wordt verzorgd door APS Personeelservices. Geïnteresseerden worden verzocht een CV met een begeleidend schrijven te richten aan: of per post te versturen naar: APS Personeelservices, Heistraat 16, 5691 CA Son.

Voor meer informatie kun je contact opnemen met één van onze consulenten op telefoonnummer of kijk op onze website Wanneer je in aanmerking komt voor deze functie, nemen we binnen 7 dagen contact met je op.

TWK Agri has the following vacancy available: Category Manager within the Trade division at Piet Retief, Mpumalanga.

Job Summary

This role involves leading the procurement and category strategies for a defined portfolio of goods and services, ensuring availability, cost efficiency, and supplier performance across TWK Agri's operations. The Category Manager will be responsible for developing category strategies, negotiating with key suppliers, optimising stock management, and driving value creation to support sustainable business growth and profitability.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and execute category strategies aligned with company objectives and market conditions
• Optimise inventory levels by overseeing category planning and stock management across multiple business units
• Source, evaluate and negotiate with suppliers to secure competitive pricing, favourable terms and long-term value
• Analyse spend, sales data and market trends to inform procurement strategies and demand forecasting
• Build and maintain strong supplier partnerships while managing performance and ensuring compliance with contracts
• Lead supplier segmentation and risk management initiatives to secure supply continuity
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, process improvements and efficiency within the procurement function
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Operations and Retail to align category goals with business needs
• Ensure procurement practices comply with company policies, governance requirements and regulatory standards
• Prepare and present category, procurement and performance reports for strategic decision-making

Qualifications and Skills

• Matric / Grade 12
• Relevant tertiary qualification in Procurement, Supply Chain or related field (advantageous)
• Minimum 5 years' experience in procurement or category management
• Proven experience in stock management and supplier negotiations
• Strong analytical and reporting skills with attention to detail
• Excellent negotiation, planning and organisational ability
• Proficiency in MS Office suite (ERP knowledge advantageous)
• Bilingual (Afrikaans & English)
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Valid driver's licence (Code 08)
• Willing to travel

Take the next step in your career with TWK Agri, a trusted leader in agriculture and beyond.

• The company can expire job adverts at any time at their own discretion.

**TWK Agri supports the principles of Employment Equity and reserves the right to prioritise candidates in line with our Employment Equity targets.

Develop and implement category strategies to drive sales, profitability, and market share.

Analyze consumer trends, sales data, and market insights to optimize product assortment and pricing.

Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts.

Required Candidate profile

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing (MBA preferred).

10 -15 years of experience in category management within the retail or FMCG industry.

Strong analytical and negotiation skills.

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for procurement and data-driven decision-making? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment where your insights directly impact operational efficiency and profitability?

Tsebo Catering is looking for a Category Manager to join our dynamic Procurement team. If you're ready to lead strategic sourcing initiatives, manage supplier relationships, and drive cost leadership across multiple categories, we want to hear from you.

As a leading African Integrated Workplace Management Solutions Provider, Tsebo Solutions Group offers clients
reduced costs, risk and complexities
together with
increased quality, efficiency and productivity
. We specialise in
Catering
,
Facilities Management
,
Cleaning and Hygiene
,
Pest Control
,
Protection
,
Energy
,
Procurement
,
Workspace Design
,
Engineering, Remote Camps
, and more.
Developing our people
- the heart of Tsebo - is the foundation of our purpose. The result is a knowledgeable workforce that is in touch with every nuance of our clients' needs.
DOWNLOAD OUR ONE-PAGER
to find out more about who we are in a nutshell.