Category Manager – Retail Grocery

About the role

The company is a fast‑growing retail chain focused on basic groceries in Nigeria. It seeks a Category Manager to drive the strategic development and performance of assigned product categories, ensuring high volume, quality, and profitability.

Key responsibilities

• Negotiate purchasing conditions, including price, payment terms and minimum order quantities.
• Recommend additions or deletions to the assortment based on performance and market trends.
• Select and manage manufacturers for private‑label products.
• Conduct regular quality and laboratory tests, including internal tastings, before adding new SKUs.
• Monitor existing supplier contracts and negotiate new terms before expiry.
• Communicate legal, purchasing and packaging updates to regional teams.
• Allocate suppliers for regional deliveries and manage product volumes during shortages.
• Authorize emergency purchases to resolve stock shortages.
• Sign purchasing contracts alongside the Central Purchasing Officer.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• 5‑7 years of experience as a Category Manager or senior procurement professional.
• Proven track record in high‑level negotiations (pricing, credit terms, MOQs).
• Experience managing full supplier‑contract lifecycles and ensuring legal compliance.
• Strong understanding of the “principle of economy” to maximise profitability.
• Ability to interpret laboratory data and quality assessments for procurement decisions.
• Familiarity with regional logistics and stock distribution during shortages.
• Excellent market research skills to stay abreast of local and international trends.

Required skills