Senior Category Manager - Sell Side
Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Role Overview
We are looking for a commercially strong, data-driven Senior Category Manager - Sell Side to lead growth, profitability, and brand performance across assigned categories.
This role goes beyond operational tracking - you will own the category P&L,, optimize assortment and pricing strategy, and lead cross-functional execution to unlock sustainable growth.
You will operate at the intersection of revenue growth, margin expansion, and strategic excellence in a high-velocity quick commerce environment.
Core Ownership Areas
Category P&L | Assortment & Selection Strategy | Pricing & Trade Margins | Strategic Excellence | Data-Driven Growth | Cross-Functional Leadership
Key Responsibilities
1. Category P&L Ownership
- Own end-to-end revenue, gross margin, and contribution margin for assigned categories
- Drive topline growth while improving margin mix and trade efficiencies
- Build and execute quarterly and annual category growth roadmaps
- Identify high-impact levers: pricing, assortment mix, promotional ROI, vendor funding
2. Assortment & Selection Strategy
- Define ideal SKU mix based on demand trends, dark store constraints, and contribution margins
- Identify assortment gaps and whitespace opportunities
- Optimize long-tail vs. hero SKU mix
- Drive innovation launches and seasonal portfolio expansion
3. Pricing & Competitiveness
- Develop category pricing strategy balancing competitiveness and profitability
- Monitor competitor benchmarks and demand elasticity
- Optimize promotional calendars and trade-funded campaigns
- Improve price perception while protecting contribution margins
4. Operational & Inventory Excellence
- Own category health metrics: fill rate, cancellations, returns, sell-through, inventory turns
- Collaborate with supply chain and planning teams to ensure availability with minimal working capital lock
- Identify systemic inefficiencies and implement scalable fixes
- Improve forecasting accuracy and wastage control
5. Data & Insights Leadership
- Analyze GMV, conversion, repeat rate, basket mix, and customer behavior
- Drive structured weekly/monthly business reviews
- Use SQL/Excel-based deep dives to uncover growth or leakage opportunities
- Present insights and recommendations to senior leadership
6. Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner closely with marketing for category campaigns and visibility strategy
- Work with catalog and product teams to improve discoverability and content quality
- Align with finance on margin targets and cost controls
- Mentor and guide junior category managers or analysts
What We're Looking For
Experience
- 2-4 years of experience in category management, strategy, or analytics roles
- Experience in quick commerce, ecommerce, FMCG, or modern trade is a plus
- Proven track record of owning P&L and driving measurable revenue growth
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical rigor (advanced Excel & SQL proficiency required)
- Deep understanding of pricing, margins, and contribution economics
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
- High ownership mindset with bias for action
- Ability to thrive in ambiguity and fast-paced environments
- Structured problem-solving approach
What Will Make You Stand Out
- You have strong first principles mindset, while solving any kind of problem statement
- You've scaled a category from early stage to high-growth
- You understand quick commerce unit economics (dark store constraints, high inventory turns)
- You think in terms of category profitability, not just GMV growth
