Panda
Category Manager, General Merchandise & Textile
- Permanent
- Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
Job expiry date: 07/11/2026
Job overview
Date posted
23/09/2026
Location
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Salary
SAR 20,000 - 30,000 per month
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Job description
Houseware and housekeeping sit at the center of this Category Manager role within Panda Retail's General Merchandise and Textile division, covering everything from assortment planning to supplier relationships across those categories. You'll manage overall category performance, translating strategy into actionable plans for each sub-category while keeping a close eye on sales, profitability and growth. Assortment decisions get shaped by customer behavior, market trends and category performance data, with rationalization and gap analysis feeding into what actually makes it onto the shelf. Pricing sits within scope too, from setting and reviewing selling prices to monitoring margins and overall category financial performance. Promotional activity runs on its own cycle, covering item selection, forecasting, sign off and post promotion reviews that check whether a campaign actually worked. Supplier management leans on Joint Business Plans, with negotiation support and ongoing communication keeping category plans and growth opportunities aligned across both sides. Inventory decisions get made with availability in mind, using tools like Minimum Facing Quantity and Minimum Display Quantity while working closely with Supply Chain and Operations. In store execution rounds out the operational side, applying Category Management principles to improve visibility, customer experience and footfall across stores. A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering or a related field is required, along with at least five years of relevant experience, ideally within category management, retail, FMCG, commercial or buying.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Manage overall performance, sales, profitability and growth of assigned categories
- Develop category strategies and translate them into actionable sub-category plans
- Define category roles, including private label and own brand positioning, in line with company strategy
- Build annual category growth and operating plans
- Conduct monthly and quarterly performance reviews, implementing corrective actions when required
- Identify assortment gaps, market opportunities and new products or business models
- Optimize product assortment based on customer needs, market trends and category performance
- Analyze customer behavior, market trends and sales performance to support category decisions
- Design category dimensions and planograms according to customer needs and company strategy
- Set and review selling prices while managing category margins and profitability
- Monitor category revenue, sales, margins and overall financial performance
- Plan and coordinate category promotional activities, including item selection and forecasting
- Evaluate post-promotion performance and identify required corrective actions
- Establish sustainable Joint Business Plans with key suppliers
- Support negotiations and maintain effective supplier and vendor relationships
- Improve inventory turns while maintaining appropriate product availability
- Calibrate Minimum Facing Quantity and Minimum Display Quantity to improve availability
- Apply Category Management (CATMAN) principles to improve category visibility, customer experience and footfall
- Assign clear objectives and KPIs for direct reports, reviewing performance regularly
- Provide coaching and support to address training and development needs
Experience & skills
- Bring a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, ideally within category management, retail, FMCG, commercial or buying
- Carry previous experience as a Category Manager or in a similar commercial or category role
- Negotiate confidently and manage supplier relationships effectively
- Show strong understanding of category management, sales, marketing, pricing and promotions
- Apply good understanding of data analysis, forecasting and inventory management
- Demonstrate strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
- Maintain a commercial and customer focused mindset
- Communicate clearly and manage stakeholders effectively
- Lead and manage people with strong capability
- Use Microsoft Office proficiently, particularly Excel