Category Head – Food & Lifestyle

We are looking for a strategic and data-driven Category Head – Food & Lifestyle to lead the category strategy, assortment planning, pricing, and overall P&L for one of our key business verticals. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of consumer trends, supplier management, and retail operations across both Food and Lifestyle categories.Key ResponsibilitiesCategory Strategy: Develop and execute category strategies that align with the company’s business objectives and customer needs.Assortment & Merchandising: Define the right product mix, pricing, and promotions to drive sales, profitability, and customer experience.Vendor & Brand Management: Build strong relationships with key suppliers, negotiate terms, and identify new brand partnerships.P&L Ownership: Drive revenue and margin growth for the category through effective pricing, sourcing, and marketing levers.Consumer Insights: Analyze market trends, competitor performance, and customer behavior to identify growth opportunities.Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with marketing, supply chain, and store operations to ensure seamless execution and availability.Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of category managers, buyers, and merchandisers to deliver business outcomes.Desired Profile8–15 years of experience in category management, buying, or merchandising within retail, FMCG, or lifestyle sectors.Proven exposure to both Food and Lifestyle categories (grocery, gourmet, fashion, or home).Strong commercial acumen and hands-on experience managing large P&Ls.Excellent negotiation, analytical, and vendor management skills.Experience in both offline and online retail formats will be an advantage.MBA or equivalent degree preferred.