Associate Category Manager - Business Development

Associate Category Manager – Business Development

Location: Hyderabad
Experience: 1–5 years
Mandatory Experience: Consumer-facing sectors (Pharma Retail / FMCG)

Mandatory Skills

• Category Management

• Offline Retail Store Operations

• Visual Merchandising

• Negotiation Skills

• Data Analysis

• Business Development

Key Responsibility Areas

• Bring in the relevant product assortment for the category.

• Engage with vendors, sellers, and brands to improve business performance.

• Manage partners to ensure smooth operations and strong category growth.

• Drive category expansion using all available business levers.

• Conduct market research on competitive assortment, pricing, and trends to identify gaps, threats, and opportunities.

• Collaborate with buying, marketing, and operations teams to implement corrective actions.

• Manage inventory returns and liquidation in alignment with defined SOPs.

Required Skill Set

• Strong understanding of offline retail and eagerness to learn.

• Smart, enthusiastic, creative, and hard-working personality.

• Excellent organizational, scheduling, and time-management skills.

• Strong negotiation and influencing abilities.

• Proven data analysis skills with strong numerical aptitude.

• Good business acumen and overall understanding of business operations.

• Experience leading cross-functional projects.

• Ability to think and react in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.

• Ability to analyze market trends and adjust strategies accordingly.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to monitor sales and inventory levels to minimize lost opportunities.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Demonstrate a strong and effective business voice.

• Show high ownership, accountability, and commitment.

• Provide relevant insights in marketing and merchandising.

• Maintain strong relationships with principal brands for margins, instocking, and competitive offers.

• Build strategic partnerships with principals to ensure short-term growth and long-term benefits for the Apollo ecosystem.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree – Mandatory

• Master’s degree – Preferred

• Work experience of 1–2 years preferred (up to 5 years acceptable).

• Experience in Pharma Retail or FMCG is mandatory.

• Prior experience in business development or category management is highly preferred.