Assistant Category Manager

About Qra (pronounced Q-ra) - is a modern lifestyle grocer; thoughtfully designed to bring communities closer through quality food, curated selections, and personalised experiences; all with a genuine Qra touch. We are looking for a strategic and entrepreneurial Assistant Category Manager. This role goes beyond buying - you will be accountable for driving the category’s growth, profitability, and ensuring the category stays relevant to our customers. In this position, you will have the autonomy to make a meaningful impact, shaping the customer experience, and grow your career in a fast-paced, collaborative, and innovative environment. You will also develop and execute data-driven strategies through sourcing the right products, understanding market trends, and collaborating across the business to ensure your category thrives. If you are a natural negotiator, data-driven, and love building things from the ground up, this role is for you! Responsibilities:Category Strategy: Develop, own, and execute the end-to-end strategy for the Pantry and Household categories to achieve sales, margin, and growth targets.Sourcing & Vendor Management: Identify, build, and maintain strong, long-term relationships with suppliers and vendors. Lead negotiations on pricing, promotions, and terms to ensure the best value.Data-Driven Insights: Utilise sales data, customer insights, and market analysis to anticipate consumer trends, identify gaps, and discover new opportunities for growth.Merchandising & Promotion: Plan and implement promotional calendars, pricing strategies, and merchandising plans to drive sales and customer engagement.Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Marketing and Operations teams to ensure successful product launches, effective promotions, and optimal inventory levels.P&L Management: Take responsibility for the financial performance of your category, including revenue, pricing, and profitability.Start-up Agility: Embrace a hands-on approach in our fast-paced environment. Be prepared to multitask and leverage your skills to support other business priorities as they arise. What we are looking for.Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.5+ years of experience in category management, buying, or merchandising, preferably within the FMCG, supermarket, or retail industry.Experience working in a start-up or high-growth e-commerce environment; or direct experience managing Pantry, Grocery, or Household product categories will be added advantage.Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to interpret data and translate it into actionable business strategies.Exceptional negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills. You can build rapport easily and secure favourable terms.A genuine passion for understanding customer needs and market trends.Excellent collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.Innovative with passion and love for bringing products to our customers.A self-starter with a positive and can-do attitude, proactive and hands-on approach. Get things done right, and fast!