Category Specialist (Promotional Gifting & Corporate Clothing) | JHB at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• A leading retail group is seeking a Category Specialist who will be accountable for end-to-end management of the promotional gifting and corporate clothing category across their assigned region.
• This role combines category management expertise with commercial acumen and supplier relationship management to ensure the category remains competitive, on-trend, and profitable.
• Working closely with sales teams, marketing, supply chain, and procurement, the specialist provides product expertise, training, and support that enables effective customer engagement and category growth.

DUTIES:

• Develop, maintain, and refine the promotional gifting and corporate clothing product range aligned with market trends and customer demand; conduct regular market and competitor analysis to identify new product opportunities
• Source, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers; negotiate pricing, rebates, payment terms, and service level agreements to optimize commercial outcomes and ensure consistent supply
• Set and review category pricing to ensure competitiveness while protecting profit margins; monitor cost price movements and implement pricing adjustments aligned with business objectives
• Provide sales teams with product knowledge, training, and marketing collateral; respond to internal and customer queries relating to product specifications, availability, and customization
• Coordinate with supply chain and warehouse teams to maintain optimal stock levels; monitor stock turn and slow-moving inventory, implementing clearance strategies where necessary
• Compile regular category performance reports including sales trends, stock turn, margin analysis, and supplier scorecards; maintain accurate product and pricing data in ERP systems
• Monitor promotional products and corporate clothing industry trends; conduct competitor analysis and attend industry events to stay current with market developments and identify growth opportunities

REQUIREMENTS:

Required Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Marketing, Purchasing, Business Management, Supply Chain Management, or related field (Diploma or Degree)
• Solid experience in category management, buying, procurement, or product management with responsibility for supplier negotiation and product range development
• Experience in promotional gifting, corporate clothing, apparel, or FMCG industries with exposure to B2B sales environments and pricing/margin management
• Proficiency with ERP and inventory systems | Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) | Quotation generation and pricing management tools
• Strong analytical skills, commercial awareness, and ability to balance competitiveness with profitability in a dynamic, trend-driven category

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certifications in category management, procurement, or supply chain management
• Experience managing product categories with responsibility for seasonal and campaign-driven ranges
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiation and building collaborative supplier partnerships

Key Skills & Capabilities

• Technical Skills: Category management | Supplier negotiation & relationship management | Market & competitor analysis | ERP & order management systems | Pricing & margin management | Product lifecycle management | Stock management & demand forecasting | Financial analysis
• Soft Skills: Commercial acumen | Analytical thinking & data interpretation | Communication & presentation | Negotiation & influencing | Stakeholder relationship management | Problem-solving & decision-making | Attention to detail | Proactive initiative