Category Manager - (Cookware/Kitchenware/Appliances/FMCG)

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About The Indus Valley:

Role Overview

As Category Manager, you will be responsible for the entire range of the kitchenware categories across channels like D2C, marketplaces, and offline retail. This role demands a combination of strategic thinking, data analysis, and cross-functional execution to scale the category effectively while delivering excellent consumer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Ownership & Strategy

• Own end-to-end P&L for the category.
• Set monthly/quarterly/annual sales and profitability targets and ensure achievement across all channels.
• Define and implement growth strategies, including new launches, assortment expansion, and rationalization of underperformers.

• Demand Planning & Forecast Accuracy

• Lead demand forecasting in collaboration with planning, supply chain, and channel teams.
• Monitor and improve forecast vs actual accuracy, minimizing stockouts and overstocking.
• Drive data-led inventory decisions using past sales, seasonality, and campaign calendars.

• Improving Ratings & Reviews

• Own category-level consumer experiences metrics on D2C and marketplaces (Amazon, Flipkart, etc.).
• Work with Product, Quality, and CX teams to analyze low-rating drivers and address root causes.
• Build post-purchase review generation loops and collaborate with the content team to highlight authentic UGC.

• Product Innovation & Assortment Management

• Drive NPD aligned with customer insights, market trends, and competitive benchmarking.
• Collaborate with design and procurement to launch differentiated, functional, and premium SKUs.
• Optimize catalogue based on sell-through rate, profitability, and consumer feedback.

• Pricing & Promotion Management

• Define pricing architecture, margins, and discounting strategies to balance growth and profitability.
• Plan and execute festival-based combos, limited edition kits, and bundles to boost AOV.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Align with marketing, performance, and brand teams for campaign planning, asset creation, and positioning.
• Partner with supply chain, sourcing, quality, and CX to ensure operational readiness, quality control, and fulfilment.
• Drive channel-specific execution with Marketplace & Offline Sales Heads for faster sell-through and visibility.

• Analytics & Reporting

• Track sales, returns, contribution margins, and promotional impact.
• Use data to create actionable dashboards and improve key metrics like sell-through, fill rate, and contribution margin.

Skills & Qualifications: (Requirements)

• 5–8 years of experience in Category Management, E-commerce, FMCG, or Retail (Kitchenware/Appliances preferred).
• Proven track record of owning P&L, launching/optimizing SKUs, and improving margins.
• Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and Excel/Sheets capabilities.
• Prior experience working across functions and influencing diverse teams (Marketing, Ops, SCM, Tech).
• Deep consumer empathy with a knack for spotting trends and white spaces.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, ownership-driven environment with high execution rigor.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (MBA preferred).

What You’ll Get at TIV

• Opportunity to build a category from the ground up with significant ownership.
• Work with a mission-driven brand impacting health and sustainability.
• Be part of a fast-growing D2C story with aggressive offline and online expansion.
• Fast-track growth opportunities with a high-performance team.

Contact:hr@theindusvalley.in or 9361420868