Category Manager / Assistant Category Manager

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Mode: Onsite

About Client Partner

Our client is a fast-growing, premium supermarket and online platform in Sri Lanka. Leveraging digital convenience, direct-to-consumer logistics, and an extensive assortment of fresh, local, and international FMCG products, the enterprise is dedicated to transforming the modern grocery shopping experience through quality, variety, and seamless service delivery.

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic, commercially driven Category Manager / Assistant Category Manager to lead and optimize product categories across our digital platform. Reporting to Senior Commercial Leadership, this role takes full commercial ownership of category P&L, supplier partnerships, margin optimization, and assortment planning. The ideal candidate will combine strong FMCG modern trade acumen with digital-first merchandise strategy to drive category growth, customer acquisition, and gross profitability.

Responsibilities

Commercial Strategy & P&L Ownership: Own and drive the end-to-end commercial performance, sales budgets, and gross profit margins across assigned e-grocery categories.
Supplier Management & Negotiation: Lead high-level negotiations with brand owners, distributors, and suppliers to secure competitive base pricing, rebates, trade support, and promotional funding.
Assortment & Range Optimization: Analyze customer buying behaviors, modern trade trends, and search data to strategically expand range footprints, launch new SKUs, and de-list slow-moving inventory.
Promotional Planning & Trade Calendars: Design and execute dynamic digital promotional calendars, bundle offers, and seasonal campaigns in coordination with digital marketing and growth teams.
Supply Chain & Inventory Alignment: Collaborate closely with procurement, inventory, and fulfillment teams to ensure high product availability, minimize stock-outs, and optimize stock turnover ratios.
Data-Driven Category Insights: Leverage e-commerce analytics, sales metrics, and market intelligence to continuously refine pricing structures and shelf velocity on the digital storefront.
Team Leadership & Mentorship: Provide guidance and operational direction to junior category executives to ensure seamless trade plan execution and supplier onboarding.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, Economics, or a related commercial discipline.
Experience: 4 to 12 years of progressive category management, modern trade purchasing, or commercial procurement experience within FMCG, retail, or major e-commerce platforms.
Commercial Acumen: Strong track record in category P&L management, vendor negotiation, margin analysis, and promotional strategy development.
Analytical Capability: Advanced proficiency in data analytics, MS Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas, financial modeling), and experience working with enterprise ERP or inventory management systems.
Key Competencies: Excellent negotiation capabilities, strong leadership presence, strategic vision, and the agility to thrive in a fast-paced online retail environment.

Benefits

Highly competitive remuneration package aligned with market standards.
Opportunity to lead key growth verticals within a pioneering, digital-first retail enterprise.

Category Manager / Assistant Category M...