Category Manager

We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Category Manager to lead the strategy, development, and performance of our White Goods product portfolio. This role will be responsible for driving category growth through market insights, product planning, cross-functional collaboration, and lifecycle management across regional markets.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Market & Consumer Insights

• Conduct market research and consumer analysis to identify customer needs, usage behaviors, and emerging buying trends.
• Monitor competitor activities, pricing strategies, product positioning, and innovation developments to identify market opportunities and portfolio gaps.

2. Product Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Define category vision, positioning, and long-term product strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Develop and maintain the product roadmap based on market trends, customer feedback, and commercial priorities.
• Support portfolio optimization through lifecycle planning, phase-in/phase-out strategies, and product enhancement initiatives.

3. Product Planning & Development

• Translate market and business requirements into detailed product specifications and development briefs.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and quality teams throughout product development, validation, and launch phases.
• Drive innovation initiatives focused on performance, efficiency, connectivity, usability, and consumer experience.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, and quality teams to ensure product availability, cost optimization, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with sales and marketing teams to support go-to-market strategies, product positioning, pricing, and launch execution.
• Coordinate with regional stakeholders to align product strategies with local market requirements.

5. Product Launch & Commercial Support

• Lead product launch planning, including forecasting, pricing support, training materials, and promotional readiness.
• Support channel and commercial teams with product knowledge, competitive analysis, and business development initiatives.

6. Product Performance & Lifecycle Management

• Monitor category performance through sales, profitability, customer feedback, and market share analysis.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement through performance reviews, cost engineering, and feature upgrades.
• Collaborate with after-sales teams to analyze service trends, warranty claims, and customer issues to improve product reliability and customer satisfaction.

7. Business & Financial Management

• Support pricing strategy, margin management, and profitability optimization across the category portfolio.
• Conduct business case analysis and feasibility assessments for new product opportunities and category investments.

8. Stakeholder Communication

• Prepare and present category performance reports, market insights, and strategic recommendations to management and cross-functional teams.
• Ensure alignment across departments regarding timelines, priorities, risks, and execution plans.

Qualifications & Skills:

1. Technical & Functional Competencies

• Strong understanding of consumer durable or white goods product categories and market dynamics.
• Experience in product management, category management, or product planning within consumer electronics or home appliances.
• Knowledge of product development processes, quality standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.

2. Business & Analytical Skills

• Market research and competitive analysis
• Pricing strategy and profitability management
• Product roadmap development and portfolio planning
• Data analysis and reporting

3. Soft Skills

• Cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Negotiation and decision-making capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment

4. Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MS Office Suite and Power BI
• Knowledge of Supply Chain Management and international business operations
• Experience working in regional or multicultural environments is a plus