Category Manager - Vegetables

We are seeking a commercially driven and hands-on Category Manager - Vegetables to join our Fresh team.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and growing the assigned vegetable portfolio, driving sales, profitability, product quality and competitiveness through effective sourcing, supplier management and category execution.

The ideal candidate will have 5-8 years of relevant experience in category management, buying, merchandising or procurement, preferably within fresh produce, grocery retail or FMCG.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Management & Commercial Performance

• Manage the day-to-day commercial performance of the assigned vegetable categories, including sales, margins, pricing, promotions and inventory.
• Develop and execute category plans to drive sales growth, profitability and market competitiveness.
• Monitor category performance, market trends and customer preferences to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to optimize product assortment, pricing and promotional activities.

2. Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Manage supplier relationships to ensure competitive pricing, consistent product quality and reliable supply.
• Conduct supplier negotiations on pricing, promotional support and commercial terms.
• Identify new sourcing opportunities and products to enhance category competitiveness and differentiation.
• Collaborate with supply chain and quality assurance teams to address supply, quality and operational issues.

3. Category Execution & Operational Excellence

• Work closely with Store Operations and other cross-functional teams to ensure effective execution of category plans and promotions.
• Monitor product availability, stock movement, wastage and inventory levels to improve category efficiency.
• Support initiatives to enhance product freshness, quality, presentation and customer experience.
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen category performance and operational efficiency.

4. Market Insights & Business Improvement

• Analyse sales data, market developments and competitor activities to support commercial decisions.
• Identify opportunities for product innovation, assortment enhancement and cost optimisation.
• Support strategic initiatives under FairPrice's Win in Fresh ambition, including sourcing improvements, market share growth and category differentiation.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Marketing or a related discipline.
• 5-8 years of relevant experience in category management, buying, merchandising, sourcing or procurement.
• Experience in fresh produce, particularly vegetables, is preferred. Candidates from grocery retail, FMCG or related industries are also welcome.
• Good commercial acumen with an understanding of sales, margins, pricing and inventory management.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Good analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and identify business opportunities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with category management or inventory systems would be advantageous.