Head of E-commerce - Rural E-com

The role of Category Head - Rural at our client, a 01 stage e-commerce startup, presents an exciting opportunity for an entrepreneurial individual to spearhead the development and expansion of the rural commerce category. As the Category Head, you will have the autonomy to craft the strategy, onboard suppliers, curate the product assortment, set competitive prices, and establish a robust supply chain tailored specifically for the rural and semi-urban markets. Your key responsibilities will include owning the profit and loss statement, driving customer adoption, and laying the groundwork for future category growth. Your responsibilities will encompass defining and executing the category vision and strategy, conducting thorough market research to grasp the needs and preferences of rural and semi-urban customers, and identifying product gaps. You will be tasked with building and nurturing strong partnerships with suppliers to ensure quality, affordability, and consistent supply. The role also involves curating a product assortment that strikes a balance between affordability and meeting aspirational demands. Collaboration with cross-functional teams including product, marketing, and operations will be essential to roll out localized go-to-market campaigns and boost customer adoption. It will be imperative to focus on revenue growth and maintain positive unit economics while owning the category P&L. Additionally, you will be expected to experiment with innovative distribution and last-mile delivery models suitable for rural India, keeping track of category performance through key performance indicators and adjusting strategies accordingly. To excel in this role, you should possess a Bachelor's degree (MBA preferred) and have 8-12 years of experience in category management, business development, or rural commerce within sectors such as FMCG, consumer durables, agri-tech, or e-commerce. A successful track record of building and scaling a category or business from inception in a 01 stage or high-growth environment is crucial. Deep insights into rural consumer behavior, distribution networks, and pricing strategies are essential, along with strong vendor management, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. Being data-driven with exceptional problem-solving abilities is a must, coupled with a willingness to extensively travel to rural and semi-urban locations. If you are passionate about creating an impact in rural commerce, thrive in an entrepreneurial environment, and possess the qualifications and skills required for this role, we look forward to receiving your application.,