Assistant Category Strategy & Growth Manager

The Assistant Category Strategy & Growth Manager supports the development and execution of category strategies for an assigned sub-category. The role focuses on translating category direction into actionable plans, supporting innovation initiatives, and ensuring effective cross-functional coordination and execution.

Working closely with the Category Manager and cross-functional partners, this role contributes to category growth through data-driven analysis, disciplined project management, and strong in-market execution across channels.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Strategy Support & Performance Management

• Support the development and execution of category strategies and plans aligned with overall portfolio objectives.
• Contribute to the Annual Business Plan and category planning process through analysis, insights, and recommendations.
• Monitor category performance, trends, and competitive activity, and prepare regular performance reviews and dashboards.
• Identify growth opportunities and execution gaps across product mix, pricing, promotions, channels, and activation.
• Support tracking of new product launch performance and overall category health.

2. Innovation & Project Execution (New Product Launches)

• Support the planning and execution of new product launches within the assigned sub-category.
• Coordinate key launch workstreams including volume planning inputs, artwork and packaging development, sell-in materials, and sales toolkits.
• Assist in ensuring launch readiness across functions, including marketing, sales, supply chain, and systems.
• Track project timelines, milestones, and risks, escalating issues as needed to ensure on-time delivery.
• Support post-launch tracking and performance evaluation.

3. Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Coordination

• Work closely with internal teams (Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, Creative, and Operations) to ensure alignment and smooth execution of category initiatives.
• Support category routines and planning forums through preparation of materials, insights, and follow-ups.
• Coordinate with regional or global counterparts to support alignment on brand assets, guidelines, and initiatives.
• Partner with channel teams to support aligned in-market execution and below-the-line activation.

4. Commercial & Budget Support

• Support category budget tracking and marketing spend monitoring to ensure alignment with approved plans.
• Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of promotions, activations, and marketing investments.
• Provide analytical support on pricing, pack mix, and commercial initiatives as required.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Engineering, Economics, or a related field.
• Typically 5–8 years of experience in category management, brand management, marketing, or commercial roles within FMCG, consumer goods, retail, or adjacent industries.
• Hands-on experience supporting category or brand plans, preferably across innovation, GTM execution, or portfolio management.

Technical & Commercial Skills

• Strong analytical capability with experience interpreting sales data, market research, and consumer insights to support business decisions.
• Exposure to new product launches, including coordination across marketing, sales, supply chain, and creative teams.
• Working knowledge of commercial levers such as pricing, promotions, pack mix, and channel activation.
• Experience supporting budget tracking, marketing spend monitoring, or ROI evaluation.

Ways of Working

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple stakeholders in a matrix environment.
• Strong project management and execution discipline, with the ability to manage timelines and deliverables.
• Clear, structured communicator with strong presentation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.

Nice to Have (not must-have)

• Exposure to regional or global brand frameworks.
• Experience across multiple channels (traditional trade, modern trade, e-commerce).
• Prior experience in beverages, food, personal care, or beauty categories / FMCG.