Category Manager (food)

The Category Manager – Food is responsible for driving sales, margin, and market share through effective category planning, supplier management, pricing, and promotions while ensuring food safety and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute food category strategies aligned with business objectives Manage product assortment, pricing, promotions, and inventory for food categories Source, evaluate, and negotiate with local and international food suppliers Ensure compliance with food safety standards, labeling requirements, and regulatory guidelines Analyze sales performance, consumer trends, and market data to optimize product mix Coordinate with Supply Chain and Operations to ensure product availability and freshness Lead seasonal promotions, new product launches, and delisting of slow-moving items Monitor shrinkage, expiry, and wastage levels and implement corrective actions Requirements Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Food Technology, or related field At least 5–10 years experience in food retail category management or buying Strong understanding of food sourcing, costing, shelf-life, and inventory management Experience handling local and imported food items Strong negotiation, analytical, and supplier management skills Proficient in MS Excel and retail systems (ERP, POS)