Manager Category Marketing

About the Client

Our client is a Leading Sri Lankan Manufacturing and Retail Organization, widely recognized as the market leader in high-quality household and lifestyle products. With a heritage spanning several decades, the company has built an iconic brand presence across the island and internationally. Known for innovation, craftsmanship, and a commitment to protecting and enhancing the lives of its customers, the organization operates a diverse portfolio of categories supported by a robust distribution network and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities.

About the Role

The Manager Category Marketing is a senior leadership position responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and monitoring of the organization’s overall marketing landscape. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role is the primary driver for meeting topline and profit objectives through creative strategies and operational excellence. You will lead a high-performing marketing team, oversee New Product Developments (NPDs), and play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term business strategy of the organization.

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Management & Branding

Marketing Strategy: Formulate and oversee the execution of annual, mid-term (3 years), and long-term (5 years) marketing strategies aligned with organizational goals.
Corporate Branding: Develop and monitor corporate branding strategies to enhance brand equity and support high-level business objectives.
Decision Support: Act as a crucial member of the leadership team, contributing to critical business decisions and the formulation of the overall business strategy.

2. Revenue & Profitability Management

Target Achievement: Ensure the delivery of quarterly and annual topline category targets.
P&L Management: Manage the profitability of categories through rigorous monitoring and optimization of marketing investments.
Budgetary Control: Oversee the total marketing budget, ensuring cost-efficiency and high ROI across all initiatives.

3. Category & Product Development (NPD)

Innovation Pipeline: Lead the New Product Development (NPD) process from concept to commercialization, ensuring products meet market needs and organizational standards.
Pricing & Placement: Develop effective pricing and distribution strategies in collaboration with the sales and finance teams.

4. Operational Leadership & Collaboration

Team Leadership: Mentor and guide the marketing team, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring effective execution of marketing operations.
Cross-Functional Synergy: Work closely with Department Heads (Sales, Finance, HR, Manufacturing) to ensure seamless alignment and interdepartmental collaboration.
Market Intelligence: Direct market research and data analysis to identify consumer insights and stay ahead of competitive trends.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

Education: BSc/BA in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a relevant field. An MBA is highly advantageous.
Professional Qualification: Full qualification in CIM or SLIM is mandatory.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant marketing experience, with at least 2 years at a Managerial level.

Technical Skills & Behaviours

Commercial Acumen: Strong business and financial acumen with proven experience managing P&Ls.
Multi-Channel Expertise: Ability to apply advanced marketing techniques across both digital and non-digital channels.
Analytical Thinking: Data-driven mindset with the ability to translate research into actionable business plans.
Leadership: Excellent communication skills with the ability to inspire a team and advocate for customer needs.
Strategic Understanding: Insight into different business disciplines including Finance, Sales, and Manufacturing operations.