Category Manager - Food & Beverage, Travel Kit, Vouchers & Services

Company Overview

We are a leading e-commerce marketplace platform connecting millions of customers with thousands of sellers across India. We're seeking a dynamic Category Manager to drive growth and strategy across our Food & Beverage (FMCG), Travel Kit, and Vouchers & Services categories - representing both physical products and digital services in our expanding ecosystem.

Position Summary

The Category Manager will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive category strategies to drive revenue growth, enhance customer experience, and strengthen partnerships across Food & Beverage (FMCG), Travel Kit, and Vouchers & Services categories. This role requires expertise in both physical product management and digital service delivery, with deep understanding of supply chain complexities and service partner ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement comprehensive category growth strategies aligned with business objectives and market opportunities

• Conduct market research and competitive analysis across FMCG, travel, and digital services sectors

• Create category roadmaps, seasonal merchandising plans, and festival-based promotional strategies

• Define category positioning and value propositions for different customer segments and use cases

• Analyze category performance metrics and implement data-driven improvements across all three verticals

• Develop omnichannel strategies linking physical and digital product offerings

Vendor & Partner Management

• Onboard and manage relationships with FMCG brands, travel product manufacturers, and service providers

• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing strategies, and exclusive partnership agreements

• Collaborate with food & beverage brands on product launches, seasonal offerings, and regional specialties

• Develop partnerships with travel accessory brands and luggage manufacturers

• Manage relationships with voucher partners, gift card providers, and service aggregators

• Conduct regular business reviews and performance assessments with all partner categories

• Coordinate with fulfillment partners for temperature-sensitive and time-critical deliveries

Product & Service Portfolio Management

• Curate and optimize product catalog ensuring comprehensive coverage across FMCG, travel, and service categories

• Ensure product listing quality, compliance with food safety regulations, and accurate categorization

• Manage product launches including new FMCG brands, travel innovations, and digital service offerings

• Monitor product performance and implement corrective actions for underperforming items

• Collaborate with private label teams on exclusive product development opportunities

• Oversee expiry date management and inventory turnover for perishable items

• Manage digital service catalog including gift cards, vouchers, and subscription services

Supply Chain & Operations Management

• Coordinate with supply chain teams for cold chain management and perishable goods handling

• Optimize inventory planning for seasonal demand patterns and festival periods

• Manage vendor compliance for food safety certifications and regulatory requirements

• Coordinate with logistics teams for specialized delivery requirements (temperature-controlled, fragile items)

• Oversee quality control processes for food and beverage products

• Manage service delivery standards and SLAs for digital products and vouchers

Marketing & Merchandising

• Plan and execute category-specific marketing campaigns including food festivals, travel promotions, and service showcases

• Optimize product visibility through search, browse, and recommendation algorithms

• Coordinate with marketing teams on advertising strategies and cross-category promotions

• Develop category-specific content strategy including recipes, travel guides, and service tutorials

• Manage pricing strategies, promotional calendar, and seasonal sales events

• Create and manage category-specific landing pages and themed collections

• Coordinate influencer partnerships for food and travel content

Customer Experience & Digital Innovation

• Develop customer journey maps optimized for each category type (physical vs. digital)

• Implement personalization strategies based on customer preferences and purchase history

• Manage customer feedback, reviews, and ratings to improve category performance

• Coordinate with customer service teams to resolve category-specific issues

• Develop loyalty programs and retention strategies for repeat customers

• Monitor and improve key customer metrics including NPS, repeat purchase rate, and service satisfaction

• Implement instant delivery solutions for urgent food and travel needs

Analytics & Performance Management

• Track and analyze key performance indicators including GMV, units sold, conversion rates, and service adoption

• Prepare regular reports and presentations for senior management on category performance

• Conduct deep-dive analysis on category trends, seasonal patterns, and customer behavior

• Implement A/B tests and experiments to optimize category performance and customer experience

• Monitor competitive landscape and benchmark performance against industry standards

• Analyze return rates, refund patterns, and customer satisfaction metrics

• Track service delivery performance and partner SLA compliance

Compliance & Regulatory Management

• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (FSSAI, BIS standards)

• Manage regulatory requirements for travel accessories and electronic items

• Oversee service partner compliance and financial regulations for vouchers

• Coordinate with legal teams on advertising compliance and promotional terms

• Implement responsible marketing practices for food and health products

• Manage tax compliance for digital services and cross-border transactions

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Food Technology, or related field

• 4-7 years of experience in e-commerce, retail, FMCG, or services industries

• Prior experience in category management, product management, or business development

• Experience with Food & Beverage, Travel, or Digital Services categories strongly preferred

Technical Skills

• Experience with e-commerce platforms and marketplace tools

• Knowledge of digital marketing, mobile commerce, and app-based services

• Familiarity with supply chain management and inventory optimization

• Understanding of Indian e-commerce regulations and category-specific compliance requirements

• Experience with API integrations and digital service platforms

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

• Excellent communication and presentation abilities

• Proven negotiation and relationship management skills

• Deep understanding of consumer behavior and lifestyle trends

• Customer-centric mindset with focus on user experience

• Ability to work in fast-paced, dynamic environments

• Strong project management and organizational skills

• Cross-functional collaboration abilities

Industry Knowledge

• Deep understanding of Indian marketplace ecosystem and consumer preferences

• Knowledge of FMCG trends, travel patterns, and digital service adoption

• Awareness of supply chain complexities and fulfillment challenges

• Understanding of seasonal patterns and festival-based consumption

• Familiarity with mobile commerce and digital payment systems

• Knowledge of food safety regulations and compliance requirements

• Understanding of service delivery models and partner ecosystems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket, or similar marketplace platforms

• Background in FMCG, travel, or financial services industries

• Experience with private label or exclusive brand partnerships

• International retail or e-commerce experience

• Knowledge of cold chain management and perishable goods handling

• Experience with digital vouchers, gift cards, and subscription services

• Understanding of travel industry dynamics and seasonal trends

Key Performance Indicators

• Category GMV growth and market share expansion

• Vendor satisfaction and retention rates

• Product catalog quality and completeness

• Customer satisfaction scores and review ratings

• Conversion rates and traffic metrics across all categories

• Promotional effectiveness and ROI

• New vendor onboarding and partnership development

• Service delivery performance and SLA compliance

• Inventory turnover and wastage reduction for perishables