Category Manager

**Company Description**
MAKRO is the Portuguese subsidiary of the METRO Group, a leader in the large-scale distribution market. We are present in 25 countries and our purpose is to live the passion for Portuguese gastronomy, bringing its diversity to the world.

We are a global company that operates locally. Our products and services set the standards for the future: customer focus, technological innovation and sustainable business models. We are the HoReCa channel's partner of excellence.
**Job Description** Mission**

Integrated within the Offer Management Department and reporting directly to the Head of Offer, the Category Manager is responsible for designing, developing, and executing efficient management of the assigned categories. The aim is to offer our customers effective solutions that meet their needs through a competitive, differentiated, efficient, and profitable proposal of quality.

**Responsabilities**:

- Conduct market analysis and identify emerging trends through proactive engagement with suppliers and rigorous competitive analysis. Utilize market insights to understand and anticipate the needs and expectations of various customer segments, thereby quantifying market opportunities.
- Manage the supplier portfolio by strategically selecting partners aligned with the company's overarching strategy. Negotiate favorable terms and conditions for product procurement and service delivery across all categories. Establish robust contractual agreements that optimize logístical operations while maintaining service excellence.
- Drive efficient category management across multiple channels and customer target groups (CTGs), ensuring a diverse and competitive product assortment that resonates with customer preferences and demands. Collaborate closely with Sales and Marketing teams to develop and implement effective product deployment and activation plans.
- Monitor and analyze category profitability, closely tracking relevant KPIs to evaluate performance against predefined targets. Develop and implement actionable improvement plans to enhance category performance and drive sustainable growth.
- Collaborate with the Supply Chain & Logistics to share insights on emerging product trends, seasonal fluctuations, and promotional opportunities. Contribute to the development of accurate demand forecasts to optimize inventory management and supply chain efficiency.
- Cultivate a positive product and pricing perception among customers, working closely with Pricing and Operations teams to develop and implement competitive pricing strategies. Leverage customer feedback and Net Promoter Score (NPS) data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure product quality and sustainability standards are maintained by collaborating closely with the Quality Department and suppliers. Adhere to all relevant legal and compliance regulations pertaining to product labeling, competition, and ethical sourcing practices.
- Act in accordance with applicable principles and standards in legal & compliance regarding competition, dumping, labeling, etc.
- Build and nurture strong relationships with department managers and the sales force through regular store visits and customer interactions. Identify opportunities for operational improvement and customer engagement initiatives to enhance overall customer satisfaction and loyalty. Assume leadership responsibility for the category management team, providing mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning within the organization.

**Qualifications**
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing;
- 3-5 years of experience in category management, retail merchandising, or related roles, with a proven track record of delivering results in a fast-paced environment;
- Experience in team management;
- Excellent data analysis skills, with proficiency in Excel;
- Fluent in English is essential due to frequent interaction with external suplliers, international headquarters and boards;
- Excellent communication skills to engage and influence stakeholders at various levels;
- Strong mindset of continuous improvement and the ability to propose and implement innovative ideas