Reports to: Managing Executive: Category Head

Location: Cape Town/ Vredenburg/ Nelspruit

About the Libstar Meal Ingredients, Snacking and Spreads Cluster

The Meal Ingredients, Snacking & Spreads Cluster is part of the Libstar Ambient Products Category, with business sites located in Cape Town, Vredenburg and Nelspruit. We operate within a dynamic, forward-thinking organization dedicated to driving innovation, fostering growth, and creating a supportive, inclusive work environment. As part of the broader Libstar team, our goal is to grow our food brands and category solutions in a sustainable and profitable manner. We prioritize building strong relationships with our customers and aim to be South Africa’s leading producer and distributor of high-quality products and brands.

About the Position

An exciting opportunity awaits a competent Category Manager with a relentless passion to drive category growth and innovation. This role involves developing and executing category strategies to meet business objectives, identifying market opportunities, managing a large portfolio of products, developing and executing the long-term vision for the category. Responsibilities include conducting market research and consumer analysis, optimizing product assortment, developing pricing strategies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Additionally, you will monitor category performance, produce regular reports, and manage relationships with key suppliers and partners.

Key Job Functions

Category Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and execute the category strategy to meet business objectives and KPIs (e.g., sales growth, market share, profitability).
• Identify market opportunities and threats, providing strategic insights to leadership and matrix team.
• Manage the long-term vision for the category, focusing on growing the category within our customer base and growing our share of the category – by growing the current basket of products, input into new product development, innovation, drive sustainable procurement strategies with key partners and ensuring quality is always front of mind.

Market & Consumer Insights:

• Conduct market research and consumer analysis to identify trends, competitor activity, and customer needs.
• Use insights to influence category decisions, product development, and pricing strategies.
• Work through our marketing channels to tell “the story” of our products in consumer-centric campaigns.

Product Assortment & Portfolio Management:

• Optimize product assortment and manage the lifecycle of products within the category.
• Collaborate with new product development and technical teams to ensure innovation pipelines align with market needs.
• Regularly review and assess product performance to determine opportunities for discontinuation, reformulation, or relaunch.

Pricing & Promotions:

• Develop and implement pricing strategies to maximize profitability while remaining competitive in the market.
• Work with the customer to plan and execute promotional activities that drive category growth and brand awareness.
• Monitor and analyze promotional effectiveness, adjusting strategies where necessary.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with the matrix teams to ensure alignment to our category plans and objectives.
• Provide category expertise to the matrix team, enabling them to effectively meet the demands of our customers.
• Regularly communicate category performance and trends to stakeholders across the business.

Performance Tracking & Reporting:

• Monitor and analyze category performance, adjusting plans and strategies as needed to achieve targets.
• Produce regular reports on sales, market share, and competitive landscape for leadership.
• Track and report on category-specific KPIs, including sales volume, revenue, and margin.

Supplier & Partner Management:

• Manage relationships with key suppliers and partners to ensure smooth product flow and optimal supply chain performance.
• Negotiate with suppliers for favorable terms and conditions related to pricing, supply agreements, and promotional support.

Knowledge and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, or a related field. A master’s degree would be a distinct advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Category Management, Product Management, or related roles in the FMCG food industry.
• Proven track record of delivering category growth, managing portfolios, and driving successful pricing and promotional strategies.

Person Profile, Skills and Attitude

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret market data and consumer insights to inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with experience working cross-functionally.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of pricing, margins, and profitability drivers.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and Syspro; experience with category management tools and software is an advantage.
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently and maintain high standards of performance.
• Capable of working under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.
• Promote teamwork and cooperation actively.
• Ability to build and maintain engaging work relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Proactive in taking initiative to solve problems.
• Sharp attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task and delegate tasks to ensure deadlines are met
• Effective presentation skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Passionate about food!

Application

Please e-mail your CV to recruitment@rialtofoods.co.za; with a motivation highlighting why you should be considered for the position.
Application deadline: Close of business on 20 May 2026
If you have not received a response within two weeks of the closing date for applications, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.

Note:
Please note that you may on occasion be required to perform tasks that are not part of your normal daily duties, but may be necessary due to the operational requirements of the Company.

To consider any application for employment, we will have to process your personal information. The Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), provides that when one processes another’s personal information, such collection, retention, dissemination and use of that person’s personal information must be done in a lawful and transparent manner.

To give effect to the above, we are required to provide you with information regarding the processing of your personal information. This information is recorded under the HR Processing Notice, which can be accessed and viewed on the Company website at https://www.libstar.co.za/legal/.