Category Manager - Office Furniture and Specialised Filing

• The Category Manager is accountable for the full category lifecycle, including supplier sourcing, product range development, pricing strategies, and margin management. Continuous monitoring of sales performance against budgets and forecasts allows for timely strategic adjustments to maximise trading profit.
• The manager plays a central role in training and upskilling sales teams on product knowledge, space planning, and sales techniques. Organising factory visits and working alongside marketing teams to develop promotional campaigns further supports category growth.
• Relationship management extends to key corporate customers, Company divisions, and external suppliers to foster loyalty and ensure excellent service delivery. Credit control responsibilities within the category safeguard the financial health of the business.
• An essential part of the role is maintaining close collaboration with the Head of Procurement to optimise stock levels and prevent both shortages and excess inventory. Simultaneously, the Category Manager partners with the Furniture Warehouse Manager to coordinate delivery and installation schedules, ensuring customer commitments are met efficiently.
• Leadership duties include monitoring team performance, managing conflicts, enforcing company policies, controlling budgets, and driving a culture of professionalism and customer focus. The manager actively pursues sales growth through target setting, promotions, and exploring new business opportunities.

• Key skills include advanced active listening, persuasive written and verbal communication, reading comprehension, time management, and the ability to influence and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders.

• In-depth knowledge of customer service principles, sales and marketing strategies, and industry-specific trends related to office furniture and specialised filing products is essential to anticipate market shifts and customer needs.

• Candidates should bring at least 6 to 7 years of relevant experience in office furniture, specialised filing, or related sectors, with proven expertise in category management, supplier negotiation, and team leadership. A post-matric diploma or equivalent qualification is preferred.

• The successful Category Manager will demonstrate strong leadership, strategic vision, excellent communication, and interpersonal skills.
• They must be resilient, proactive, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Integrity, sound judgment, and a partnership-driven approach underpin effective category and team management.

Datafin