Assistant Category Manager

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Responsible for planning and executing omni-channel marketing strategies and plans for assigned product categories under-guidance. This includes strategic range assortment across all channels (Own Retail, Ecommerce, Franchise and Wholesale), market and channel data analysis while exemplifying cross-functional team collaborations to develop impactful E2E integrated trade marketing rollouts.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Management & Omni-Channel Strategy:

• Develop a focused channel & account strategy for category responsible-for with consideration of product & price positioning, store locations, customer profiles and trade dynamics of each channel and/or key accounts.
• Category data analysis to identify gaps and opportunities on the assigned categories (Pre-season and In-season).
• Deliver accuracy in category range that caters to the channel and market's needs with competitive pricing and profitable margins.
• Define the product franchise distribution strategy based on channel and/or account's profile through clear guidelines and down to door level.
• Monitor category financial targets which include net sales, margins, inventory and market share; and device ways to achieve these targets.
• Align with SEA counterparts on category direction, retail launch cadences, allocation and range support.
• Ensure effective communication and liaising between in-country Sales, Customer Service and cross-functional teams to optimize business opportunities.
• Monitor the Sell-Through of Key Campaigns and Products, triggering actionable points based on results with the objective of achieving targets.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activities to identify opportunities and gaps that would develop/support local market growth.

Go-to-Market Processes:

• Contribute as part of the Omni-Channel team to deliver the best possible seasonal Go-to-Market calendar process.
• Streamline Go-to-Market processes and provide feedback to SEA on process improvements to deliver accuracy in forecasts and buys when and where needed.
• Align with in-country channel stakeholders on key Go-to-Market milestones and deliverables.
• Work with cross-functional teams – Brand communication and Visual Merchandising on calendar and campaign activation plans.
• Support Customer meetings for category of responsibility (i.e pre-lines, sell-in etc.) by finalizing Channel Segmentation guidelines, providing a comprehensive sell-in package, catalogue and recommendations to drive local business needs
• Support Omni-Channel manager on in-country sample management for seasonal sell-ins and buy processes.

Professional Background/Experience:

• Functional: At least 2-3 years of trade and/or product category
• Industry: Experience in consumer products, preferably Retail or FMCG
• Proficient in excel, e.g., formulas such as vlookup
• Knowledge on data analytics program a plus, e.g. PowerBI

IT:

• Outlook: Intermediate
• Word: Advanced
• Excel: Advanced
• Powerpoint: Advanced