Category Specialist

The Role
We are currently seeking 2 Category Specialist Bed/Linens OBJECTIVES - Ensure that the correct product assortment is provided to the consumer at the right price and at the right time. - This is achieved through thorough data analysis of market and shopper behavior to define and implement a strategy to increase the speed of inventory turnover in the category. - They also consider different suppliers and decide which products to add to a range to assist our retail stores to achieve required sales targets DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES - Responsible for a major product group including cataloguing, pricing, technical knowledge, & project management. - Manage marketing activities such as promotions, campaigns & development of digital streams to influence demand with the marketing department. - Ensures promotional activities remain locally relevant and plan a GTM strategy for the country - To be integral in the strategic development & planning of assigned category business & to increase the direction of groups growth in our core ranges strategy. - Manage relationships with Strategic Vendor Partners, negotiates terms & prices to improve Gross Margins and NP. - Work with field Store Directors to collect category performance feedback & lead merchandising development for assigned categories based on store clusters & direction from HOD. - Increase profitability, store participation & product mix in conjunction with our key suppliers. - Manage entire forecasting/ forward order cycles to further enhance business development & ensure product sustainability, customers, & supplier satisfaction. - Building relationships with suppliers to ensure they are aligned to our buying strategy & are performing consistently, evaluating new sources of supply & establishing processes & KPIs - Negotiating with suppliers on cost prices, rebates & service terms - Ensuring our ranges reflect customer requirements & expectations - Providing general maintenance of the range; additions, deletions, price changes - Analyzing past sales figures/trends to anticipate & forecast future product needs - Assessing product performance & drive commercial actions through regular trade analysis - Owning new product development & growth of bespoke products & ranges from concept to launch - Working with bespoke suppliers to ensure products fall within required quality standard, margin requirements & launch timings. - Instructing the Merchandising Assistant’s in the product & price system recording & update, national/international collated orders (N/ICO’s) & all other day to day administrative tasks in a timely manner. - Provide clear communication & regular updates internally via the groups intranet to stores & other teams. - Provide support & assistance to stores, cross functional teams & management as required. - Provide business reports & presentations as required & or requested. - Any other duties as required & or requested & not limited to the above. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES - Reporting Staff based on hierarchy plus some shared responsibilities with other Junior staff. - Fiscal: Planning/Forecasting Sales, Stock Management, Monitor/Track, Margin, profit, Supplier Management, Selection and Procurement. MISSION - Manage the company's strategic growth direction of the category business. - Work with Groups assigned category & management to select core ranging of products, forecasting/forward ordering of products, marketing initiatives, catalogue planning etc. - Facilitate photographic shoots as & when required & or requested. - Responsible in the planning, preparation, attendance, & successful execution of category exhibitions & trade shows. - Maintain business relationships with retailers, suppliers, freight forwarders & external stakeholders. - Analyzing data or insights to determine industry & consumer trends - Devising long-term development strategies for product categories - Developing exit strategies for unsuccessful product. - Manage SALE/Promotion events in terms of planning, execution quality and liquidations at pre-approved margins. - Reporting to: Deputy Managing Director - Subordinates: Merchandiser, Buyer, Stock Planner - Other interactions: Fianance, Supply Chain, Marketing and Retail Operations - Number required: 2 in total (one per category) - Working Hours: Saturday to Thursday 830 AM to 430 PM - Commission / Bonus: Based on sales/sell through - Other Benefits: housing, transport allowance, medical insurance, tickets

**Requirements**:
Knowledge / Skills / Experience - Preferably have at least a minimum 5-year Industry experience in purchasing & procurement, marketing, ranging, logistics & administration of living/bed/bath/accessories. - Experience in trade show - Experience in bedding trade show - Experience in bath trade show - Experience in accessories trade show - Experience in stock management, analysis & action planning. - 5-7 years’ experience as a Buyer, Senior Buyer or Merchandise Manager within the Bed/Living and Bat