At Blue Label Distribution, our brand philosophy is that we can create and distribute anything that is able to be digitised. Our Blu-approved brand is the face of our service offering and is underpinned by a world-class technology platform for both online and offline commerce. With a point of sale network of approximately 150 000 devices, we provide a distribution footprint across all income groups. 85% of our income comes from merchants in the informal sector.<\/p>\n
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Job Title: Product Category Executive<\/strong> Job Summary:<\/strong> Strategic Category Management:<\/strong> Stakeholder Management:<\/strong> Growth and Profitable Categories Delivered:<\/strong> Product Commercialization:<\/strong> Leadership:<\/strong> Self-Management:<\/strong>
\nLocation:<\/strong> Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
\nReference #:<\/strong> B168
\nContract Type:<\/strong> Permanent
\nSalary:<\/strong> Market Related<\/p>\n
\nLeads the product management contribution to the Blue Label SA Distribution strategy development, the translation of set strategies into product or service definitions, the coordination of product development, and the evaluation of the product and services portfolio. Incumbent is responsible for the profitability and growth of each product within the category thereby facilitating revenue generation. Collaborates with Leadership to determine pricing, distribution and overall promotion of a product category to maximize consumer appeal and increase revenue for merchants through our products and services. Collaborates with BluNova, Business Intelligence and external providers to provide the business with product, channel, merchant and consumer insights.
\nRequirements: <\/strong>
\nRESPONSIBILITIES:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nProvides strategic advice and collaborates on category strategies, approaches and requirements.
\nInfluences the strategic vision and direction of new product development to enable profitable and new categories which will meet merchant and consumer needs.
\nInterfaces with cross-functional parties at all levels of the organization, including
\nTechnology, Sales & Distribution, Operations and Finance, as well as relevant technical and execution resources.
\nLeads the commercialization of the products.
\nCollaborates with Marketing and Commercialization team to ensure effective execution and product availability.
\nAssesses implementation of the commercialization plan across all areas of the business.
\nIncorporates business insights and objectives into the development of the category management strategies.
\nProvide updates on category activity and performance .
\nEstablish KPIs and reporting processes and frameworks to capture and report the benefits of the functional area.
\nDevelops, leads and execute category plans, strategies and frameworks, including market approaches, procurement analysis, supplier development,
\ncontract management, performance reporting and evaluation, to optimise value for money outcomes and meet stakeholder needs and expectations.
\nLead efforts to develop and harmonise category management processes\/ standards across all user groups to gain buy-in and organisational commitment.
\nResearch and seek opportunities for improvement in category management and effectively promote and manage changes.
\nAnalyze data and share insights with the business.
\nDevise long-term development strategies for product categories.
\nDevelop exit strategies for unsuccessful products.<\/p>\n
\nCollaborate with Technology to provide expert advice to key stakeholders on all aspects of product procurement and development recommending a build or buy strategic choice.
\nWork with outsources service delivery organisations to develop products against agreed spec (MVP\u2019s) and commercialization plan.
\nFoster trust relationships with vendors to achieve better pricing and quality of services.
\nChallenge and motivate providers to optimise service outcomes.
\nLead negotiations on high impact, complex supply arrangements and manage contracts to deliver optimal category outcomes.
\nConsult throughout the organisation to support the development of strategic and high-risk contracts and supplier relationships.
\nIdentify sources of value through the supplier relationship.
\nTake action to realize identified opportunities.
\nLead supplier development activities for key suppliers and market segments to meet the needs of the organisation.
\nDevelop frameworks to identify and track benefits through supplier relationships.
\nEstablish mechanisms to ensure supplier relationships are effectively governed both within and outside of the category management function.
\nEstablish performance standards and evaluation processes to assess and report on category activity in terms of progress, results, customer satisfaction, value and cost.
\nMaintain in depth knowledge of category market and vendor trends and dynamics to develop strategies to maximize the organisation\u2019s influence in the market to deliver organisational and government objectives.<\/p>\n
\nCreate ambitious and wide-ranging and profitable category strategies based on
\nfuture trends, disruptive technology, customer and consumer needs together with an in-depth knowledge of organisational demand, needs and requirements.
\nEffectively evaluate, shape, influence and develop the categories to deliver long term shareholder value
\nDemonstrate expertise in analysing category and product performance and provide expert advise to sales teams on how to improve profitability.
\nDevelop strategies and supply markets to effectively deal with limited sources of supply.
\nSet the overall strategy and framework for how different \u2018go-to-market\u2019 techniques are to be established and used throughout the organisation.
\nLead the interpretation of product availability on merchant profitability and collaborating to develop product value propositions to enable sales selling stories.<\/p>\n
\nLeads commercialization effort for all product innovation programs.
\nCollaborates across the business to develop feasibility assessments and business case rationale to support commercialization plans and revenue generation.
\nEnsure effective project management, cost projections and revenue delivery.
\nMake forecasts for product availability and ensure the availability of inventory in support of our market penetration strategy.
\nFacilitate creation of mitigation\/contingency plans and manage communication for any disruptions in the game plan or revenue targets.
\nWork closely with business areas to identify and manage commercial, contractual, operational, financial, reputational, ethical and supply chain risks emanating from category activity and supply base arrangements.
\nAct as an SME on ways to manage risk for high value complex projects and relationships, and take calculated risks to achieve objectives.
\nManage compliance and eliminate non-compliant practices in category management.<\/p>\n
\nProvide leadership, direction and effective management of the category management team and cross functional working groups to achieve a high-level of performance, integration and consistency.
\nThrough effective inspirational leadership, facilitate the creation of accountable, full service teams who understand and strive to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
\nRole model behavior and motivate team members in line with the core values.
\nTake full responsibility for performance of all direct reports, motivating and managing them in relation to quality standards and agreed benchmarks and objectives, focusing on all aspects of sound people management.
\nProvide support and guidance on career path planning, on-the-job training, coaching and mentoring to direct reports.
\nDevelop, promote and direct the implementation of equal opportunities policies in all aspects of the company\u2019s work.
\nCommunicate and maintain trust relationships with shareholders, business partners and authorities.<\/p>\n
\nSet an example through personal quality and productivity standards and ways of working with others.
\nDemonstrate consistent application of internal procedures.
\nPlan and prioritise, demonstrating abilities to manage competing demands.
\nDemonstrate abilities to anticipate and manage change.
\nDemonstrate flexibility in balancing achievement of own objectives with abilities to understand and respond to organisational and team needs.<\/p>\n