Category Manager - Buy Side - FMCG (4-8 Yrs) Bangalore (B2C/Retail/Channel Sales)

Role & ResponsibilitiesVendor Management & Negotiation : Manage vendor relationships, negotiate local rates to meet cost-per-unit targets, and ensure timely delivery of products.Inventory Monitoring : Track stock levels, share daily reports on low inventory, and ensure minimum order quantities (MOQ) are met.Purchase Order Coordination : Map/unmap products, raise POs with desired vendors, and monitor negative margins at product level.Cross-functional Collaboration : Meet regularly with the Business Operations and Growth teams to align on stock availability, sales plans, and product launches.Payment & Delivery Follow-up : Coordinate with Finance on vendor payments to avoid delays, and ensure smooth vehicle offloading at Distribution Centers (DC).Vendor Sourcing : Identify and onboard alternate vendors to maintain product availability and address supply gaps.Stock Management : Monitor put-away status of inventory, manage slow-moving stock, and support sales strategies for excess inventory.Reporting & Analysis : Provide regular performance updates, including benchmarking new products, sales plans, and launch strategies.Ideal CandidateFirst Principles Problem solver- Proven experience (3 years) in category management, vendor management, or procurement, preferably in a retail, e-commerce environment, or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry.- Strong analytical skills with advanced proficiency in Excel- Strong understanding of supply chain processes and inventory management best practices.- Ability to manage relationships with both local vendors.- Strong negotiation skills and a keen eye for cost optimization.- Ability to work independently with limited support in a fast-paced, high growth environment- Hunger to work, deliver, and grow in a rapidly growing organization- Experimentative mindset: Ideate, try, measure, learn, document and help improve our ways of working- Good collaboration skills - great at communication and negotiation - Ability to influence a variety stakeholders without relying on positional authority- Willingness to getting your hands dirty : Learn from customers, manufacturers and on ground teams about their business and challenges (ref:updazz.com)

Payroll Type : Permanent