Category Manager

Role & responsibilities

Category Ownership & P&L Management

1. Own the category P&L, including revenue, gross margin, COGS, and inventory costs.

2. Develop and execute strategies to achieve category revenue and profitability targets.

3. Track and review category performance using dashboards covering sales, margins, inventory health, and SKU contribution.

4. Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitive activities to identify opportunities for growth and optimization.

5. Manage inventory levels to minimize waste and ensure product availability.

6. Conduct regular financial reviews to identify areas for cost reduction and margin improvement.

Strategy, Roadmap & Market Intelligence

1. Monitor industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure compliance and identify potential opportunities or threats.

2. Identify and evaluate potential new markets and product segments.

3. Develop and maintain a deep understanding of consumer preferences and trends in the baby food market.

4. Translate insights into clear actions on assortment, pricing, and innovation priorities.

5. Conduct ongoing competitive and market analysis across D2C and retail to identify whitespace, ingredient trends, and growth opportunities.

6. Define the category vision, including pricing architecture, promotional strategy, and market positioning.

Product Portfolio & Digital Merchandising

1. Monitor product performance and make recommendations for improvements or discontinuations.

2. Develop and execute promotional plans to drive sales and increase brand awareness.

3. Optimize product listings and descriptions for search engines and online marketplaces.

4. Design and optimize bundles, starter packs, and subscription offerings to improve AOV and repeat purchases.

5. Own digital assortment and merchandising on the D2C website, ensuring accurate listings, compelling content, and strong conversion.

6. Manage the full product lifecycle, including launches, range expansion, promotions, bundling, and SKU rationalization.

New Product Development (NPD)

1. Manage the product development process from concept to launch, ensuring timely and efficient execution.

2. Develop product concepts and specifications based on market research and consumer insights.

3. Conduct market research to identify unmet consumer needs and product opportunities.

4. Own go-to-market plans for new launches, including pricing, positioning, and post-launch performance tracking.

5. Ensure products meet nutritional, safety, and quality standards, while aligning with Indian taste preferences and parental needs.

6. Lead the cross-functional NPD process in collaboration with R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams.

Customer Experience & Cross-Functional Collaboration

1. Work closely with supply chain and logistics teams to ensure timely and efficient delivery of products to customers.

2. Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop and execute customer acquisition and retention strategies.

3. Gather and analyze customer feedback to identify areas for improvement in product and service offerings.

4. Work with Operations and Customer Support to improve fulfillment outcomes, reduce returns and cancellations, and enhance trust.

5. Collaborate with Brand and Performance Marketing teams to create category-specific campaigns, promotions, and calendars.

6. Act as the voice of the customer, using feedback and behavioural insights to improve the end-to-end experience.