Category Manager

About the role

The Category Manager will lead the strategic development and performance of assigned product categories for a fast‑growing retail grocery chain in Nigeria. You will ensure that all SKUs achieve high volume and superior quality while driving private‑label growth and securing optimal costs and terms.

Key responsibilities

• Negotiate purchasing conditions, including prices, payment terms and minimum order quantities.
• Recommend additions or deletions of items based on performance data and market trends.
• Select and manage manufacturers for private‑label production.
• Conduct regular quality and laboratory tests, including internal tastings, before adding new items.
• Monitor existing supplier contracts and negotiate new terms before expirations.
• Communicate legal updates, purchasing conditions and packaging changes to regional teams.
• Assign suppliers for regional deliveries and manage exceptional purchases to resolve shortages.
• Determine regional product volumes during supply constraints and address severe quality issues.
• Sign purchasing contracts alongside the Central Purchasing Officer and adhere to purchasing policies.

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 the full lifecycle of supplier contracts with 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 strategic stock distribution during shortages.
• Effective collaboration with internal departments and market research expertise.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the retail grocery market in Nigeria.
• Competitive remuneration package.
• Dynamic work environment with strong financial backing.