Title:  Category Development Sr. Specialist

Core Job Information

Job Title

Category Development Sr. Specialist  

Department

Commercial

Location

Head Office

Sub-department

Band / Level

Executive

Reports To

(Job title/Band)

CDM

Direct Reports

 (if any)

Job Summary

Category Development Sr. Specialist to assist in driving category growth through the integration of demand insights, trade marketing strategies, and In-Market execution. The role ensures seamless planning and execution across internal and external stakeholders, enhancing category look & feel on & off-shelf and building strong supplier network. Analyse competitor’s activities (flyers, activations), keep an update on market prices and adapt all of the collected information into planning.

Job Responsibilities

Key Area

Key Responsibilities

Category Assortment

Collaborate with the Category Manager to develop and implement strategies for product assortment, ensuring the right mix of products to meet customer needs and achieve sales goals

Demand Planning Integration

Assist in developing accurate demand forecasts by analysing historical sales data, market trends, and promotional activities, Work closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to align demand forecasts with business objectives and Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance forecasting accuracy and inventory management

Trade & Activation Planning

Develop and execute trade marketing plans that drive category expansion, including new listings, planograms, store openings, and promotions. Ensure alignment of BTL activities with category strategies and demand forecasts.

Promotional Activities

Suggest and negotiate promotional offers, complete the formalities of the promo plan, and assist in the promo optimization process

Perfect Store and Execution Excellence

Develop and update Perfect Store guidelines across Modern Trade, Wholesale, Traditional Trade, and Vans. Define Minimum Assortment Lists (MSL), planograms, POSM guidelines, and in-store execution standards. Track and analyse in-market execution KPIs, providing feedback loops for continuous improvement.

Key Result Areas (KRAs)

- Growth of category sales, share, and profitability
- Forecast accuracy improvement (baseline and incremental)
- Execution of Perfect Store programs across channels
- Development of strong customer relationships for category leadership

- Joint accountability for category P&L and spend optimization in partnership with Finance

Key Interfaces of the role

Internal Interface

• Leadership team
• Finance & accounting team
• Sales team
• Supply Chain & Logistics team
• Marketing Team

External Interface

• Key Accounts & Customers
• Research Agencies

Key Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Demand Planning and Forecasting
• Trade & Shopper Marketing
• Sales & Channel Understanding
• Syndicated Channel Analysis (Nielsen)
• POSM and Retail Execution Planning

Behavioural Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Strong Collaboration & Influence
• Results Orientation & Accountability
• Effective Communication
• Adaptability & Agility
• Negotiation & Relationship building

Job Specification

Essential Requirements

Desirable Attributes

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with Sales/ Marketing Majors

• Master’s degree in Business Administration with specialization in Sales/ Marketing or Strategy

Experience

• 4+ years of experience in Commercial Planning, Trade Marketing, Demand Planning, or Category Development within FMCG

• Professional certifications such as Category Management Association (CMA) or Shopper Marketing credentials
• Prior experience in retailer engagement or Joint Business Planning

Any Others

• Strong data analysis skills with experience working with syndicated data sources
• Proficiency in written and verbal English