Senior Category Lead, Fresh Food & Strategy

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Category Management leader to oversee Fresh Food categories across a multi-store retail environment. The role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies that drive sales, profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.

Role Summary: The successful candidate will lead assortment planning, pricing strategies, promotional activities, visual merchandising, and product development initiatives while ensuring alignment with market trends and consumer preferences. This role requires strong commercial acumen, leadership capability, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with operations, supply chain, marketing, and other stakeholders to deliver business objectives and maintain product quality and availability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies across Fresh Food sections to maximize sales, margin, and overall category performance.
• Manage product assortments, pricing strategies, promotional campaigns, and merchandising initiatives in line with market trends and customer demand.
• Optimize shelf layouts and product displays to enhance customer experience and improve commercial performance.
• Conduct comparative analysis across categories and store formats to identify opportunities for growth, efficiency, and profitability.
• Oversee gross margin management, line planning, rebates, budgeting, and new product development initiatives.
• Lead and manage the Category Team, ensuring alignment with business goals and maintaining consistency in product quality and availability.
• Analyze consumer behavior, competitor activity, and market performance to identify opportunities for category expansion and innovation.
• Customize category strategies to suit different cultural, economic, and social demographics across store locations.
• Collaborate closely with operations, marketing, supply chain, and other internal stakeholders to ensure smooth execution of category plans and optimal stock levels.
• Monitor category performance against sales budgets and market trends, implementing necessary changes to maintain competitiveness and sustainable growth.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives while maintaining financial performance and operational efficiency.
• Mentor, guide, and develop team members through structured performance management, coaching, and continuous feedback.
• Set clear KPIs and objectives for the team while fostering a high-performance and results-driven culture.
• Category Management
• Stock & Inventory Management
• Product Assortment Planning
• Pricing & Promotional Strategies
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills
• Strong Communication & Stakeholder Management

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum 15 years of experience in Fresh Food Category Management, including at least 7 years in a leadership role.
• Professional certifications in Category Management, Retail Management, or Supply Chain Management are an advantage.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, or a related field. Master’s Degree in Business Administration or related discipline is preferred.