Category Head: Groceries & Non Foods at Engen

Who You Are

•   You are dynamic thinker with a high aptitude for learning.
•   You have built credibility within your organization and amongst your peers.
•   You are an expert at implementation and execution of strategic objectives.
•   You are passionate about retail and selling.
•   You have excellent communication and negotiation skills.
•   You have a reputation for being insightful and operating with integrity.

What You Have Done Before

•   8 years Category buying management experience within the FMCG environment.
•   NQF level 7 (Retail or Business-related degree)
•   Experience sourcing the following products (Groceries and Non Foods)
•   Understanding of food services/QSR/Hospitality industry and product categories prevalent in the South African retail landscape.
•   Deep knowledge of retail principles with in-depth understanding of category management.
•   Entrepreneurial - ability to initiate and co-create innovative and viable business plans.
•   Highly efficient in the use of analytical and financial applications.
•   Proven ability to co-ordinate and delivering the category operating plan.
•   Proven sourcing and stakeholder management experience and knowledge of store operations, customer profiles, locations & competitors.
•   Strong negotiation and financial management skills.
•   Proven ability to deliver category financial indicators.
•   Strong customer and retail orientation - sound business acumen; commercial awareness; good judgment; emotional resilience.
•   Knowledge and understanding of Supply Chain concepts, processes and systems.
• Exciting Challenges You Might Face
•   Immerse yourself in various aspects of the organisation
•   Influencing the strategic direction of Engen convenience business
•   Operate effectively in an ever-changing, dynamic and agile business

 
What You Will Be Doing

COMMERCIAL STRATEGY:

•   Develop and Drive the Commercial strategy & manage key strategic supplier relationships 
•   Design and develop new customer acquisition strategies with Trade planning and Marketing by analysing and interpreting market and competitor strategies 

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT: 

•   Manage relations with internal customers, contractors/service providers and external stakeholders such as agencies and dealer councils 
•   Develop & drive compliance to HSEQ policies/procedures related to Groceries and Non-Foods via the implementation throughout the company and the dealer network, via agreed policies, procedures, and practices 
•   Develop and contract the Heads of Agreement with all Groceries and Non-Foods Manufacturers, Suppliers to ensure the protection of the companies legal and reputational risk.
•   Develop Standard Operating Practices, policy and procedure for all Groceries and Non-Foods categories in line with Food compliance protocols 

PRODUCT PROCUREMENT AND SOURCING: 

•   Develop and Drive an in -house solution for Groceries and Non-Foods Pre-packaged foods by developing Engen Private Label 
•   Optimize the distribution network and manage the distribution partners and relationships by ensuring all Risk, Governance and Compliance protocols are in place through the implementation of Heads of Agreements.
•   Drive the development of Engen owned Food standard operating practices to ensure the achievement of the prescribed standards of Food production

 MERCHANDISE PLANNING AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN:

•   Develop the Convenience Category Management Capability including market insight, business partnering, negotiation, on-going supplier management and governance.
•   Develop and implement the Best in Class Store Operations solutions for the network 

TRADE PLANNING:

•   Develop and drive the Trade Promotion Planning and Marketing strategies for Groceries and Non-Foods by understanding customer’s needs, creating the attractiveness of deals, and ensuring the marketing and promotional media delivers the required returns. 
•   Drive the achievement of increased customer spend, number of items purchased and basket size by creating campaigns and promotional offers to attract and retain customers. 

 PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY: 

•   Develop an in conjunction with the Head of Product development and food Technology, the Groceries and Non-Foods to meet the demands of the Convenience          customer 
•   Development of Engen Private Label Brand in Groceries and Non-Foods in building strategic supplier relationships 
•    Develop the Company’s capability to manage Food technology within the manufacturing and product development areas 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT:

•   Develop and Drive the forecast of annual budget requirement of Income and sales for Groceries and Non-Foods sub departments 
•   Develop and Drive the successful implementation of the Groceries and Non-Foods sub departments OPEX plan 
•   Develop and Drive the successful implementation of the Annual Capex requirements for Groceries and Non-Foods sub departments.