Category Manager (Fresh)

The Category Manager( Meat & Delicatessen) is responsible for leading the end-to-end commercial and operational performance of the Beef and Delicatessen business, including fresh meat counters and the Frozen and Chilled Beef portfolio across supermarket formats.

The role holds overall accountability for business profitability, category strategy, sourcing, operational excellence, customer experience and inventory management. Working closely with Business Unit leadership, Category Directors, suppliers and operational teams, the incumbent will drive sustainable sales growth, margin improvement and consistent execution standards across all stores.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End Business & Category Management

• Lead the overall business strategy and performance of the Beef and Delicatessen portfolio, including Fresh, Chilled and Frozen Beef across supermarket formats.
• Define and execute category strategies covering product assortment, specifications, sourcing, pricing, promotions and supplier partnerships.
• Identify opportunities to grow sales, improve profitability, strengthen product differentiation and enhance customer value.
• Develop and execute promotional and commercial activities in collaboration with Category Directors and Formats.
• Drive supplier selection, commercial negotiations and product quality standards to ensure competitiveness and sustainable supply.

2. Financial & P&L Management

• Assume joint accountability with Formats leadership for the financial performance of meat counters, including sales, gross margin, operating expenses and overall profitability.
• Lead the development of annual business plans, budgets, forecasts and performance targets.
• Monitor and review store-level financial and operational performance, identifying gaps and implementing corrective actions.
• Drive productivity, cost optimisation, waste reduction and margin improvement initiatives.
• Establish performance measures and ensure accountability for delivering business and financial targets.

3. Store Operations & Execution Excellence

• Define and establish consistent operating standards for meat and delicatessen counters across all supermarket formats.
• Drive implementation and adherence to standards covering product quality, merchandising, food safety, hygiene, service delivery and operational efficiency.
• Oversee the performance of beef counters across stores, ensuring consistent execution and customer experience.
• Partner with Formats and Store Operations teams to address operational gaps, manpower challenges and capability requirements.
• Develop and implement improvement initiatives covering processes, service standards, productivity and people capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory, food safety and internal operational requirements.

4. Supply Chain, Inventory & Replenishment Management

• Maintain overall business accountability for inventory health, product availability, stock turnover and waste management.
• Work closely with CPU and relevant supply chain teams on replenishment, inventory planning and stock management.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal partners to optimise supply, manage excess inventory and minimise stock losses.
• Leverage available supply and processing capabilities, including blast-freezing solutions and alternative sales channels, to optimise inventory recovery and commercial value.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecasting accuracy, stock availability and inventory efficiency.

5. Stakeholder & Supplier Management

• Build strong working relationships with Formats Managing Directors, Category Directors and cross-functional stakeholders to align commercial priorities and operational execution.
• Partner with Formats leadership to align commercial priorities and operational execution

and drive shared ownership of counter performance, profitability and customer experience.

• Establish and maintain strategic supplier relationships to strengthen sourcing capabilities, supply reliability and product competitiveness.
• Facilitate cross-functional decision-making and resolve operational or commercial challenges to achieve business objectives.

6. People Leadership & Capability Development

• Lead and develop the Counter Specialist and supporting team to deliver business priorities and operational excellence.
• Work closely with Formats and Store Operations leadership on manpower planning, deployment, performance management and capability development for store-based counter employees.
• Define required technical competencies, service standards and training needs for meat counter operations.
• Foster a culture of performance accountability, operational discipline, customer focus and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Food Science, Supply Chain Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15-20 years of relevant working experience, predominantly in retail, supermarket operations, food retail or the F&B industry.
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience managing business P&L, including revenue, margin, cost and profitability.
• Strong experience in meat counter operations, fresh food retail, delicatessen or comparable food service operations.
• Proven track record in managing end-to-end commercial and operational performance across multiple outlets or business locations.
• Experience in meat sourcing, category management, supplier negotiations and inventory management would be highly advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Commercial & Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of business economics, P&L management, margin optimisation and commercial decision-making.
• Operational Excellence: Ability to establish and implement consistent operational standards across multiple retail locations.
• Category & Product Expertise: Strong knowledge of meat products, sourcing, handling, merchandising and food retail operations.
• Strategic Thinking & Execution: Ability to translate business strategies into actionable plans and measurable results.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong influencing and collaboration skills, particularly in a matrix organisation with shared accountabilities.
• People Leadership: Proven ability to lead teams, build capabilities and drive performance through direct and indirect reporting relationships.
• Problem-Solving & Continuous Improvement: Strong analytical capabilities and a hands-on approach to resolving commercial and operational challenges.