{"id":7325,"date":"2019-02-28T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-28T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbshoppingbasket.com\/?p=7325"},"modified":"2023-11-15T16:26:19","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T15:26:19","slug":"relevance-category-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbshoppingbasket.com\/en\/blog\/relevance-category-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"The Relevance of the Category Manager"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is a Category Manager?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Category Managers, also called CATMAN, are divided into two types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Retail Category Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A Retail Category Manager is a person in charge of assessing and implementing which product categories are the most interesting to the brand\u2019s customers. Therefore, the ones available on the shelves. This person works hand in hand with Trade Marketing Managers at the point of sale. The point is to increase that product\u2019s sales. Additionally, they manage the signage and explanatory information relating to those items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, in the bakery department in a supermarket, there will be a Retail Category Manager in charge of the acquisition of the products. They will also be responsible for their sales and marketing strategies. They analyze current and future trends to offer their clients seasonal or trendy items that will sell best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Indirect Category Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

An Indirect Category Manager is in charge of purchasing the goods or services in the supply chain. These items are necessary to achieve the objectives of the established strategic plan. They usually have previous knowledge of the specific sector in which they work (IT, tourism, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"ebook3-recycling-2\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between a Buyer, a Product Manager, and a Category Manager?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We have already seen the main functions of the two types of Category Managers, but, what tasks are the Buyers and the Product Managers entrusted with?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 The Buyer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is the person in charge of buying goods and services for a company through suppliers already established in their database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if a company needs to purchase shopping baskets, the buyer will have to talk to an established supplier and manage the purchase from beginning to end. They will also need to provide all the documentation of the process. To acquire new suppliers, they typically get help from the Senior Buyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 The Product Manager<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is the person in charge of managing and maximizing the profitability of a product from its creation until the end of its life cycle. He is in charge of the success of this specific product based on the 4 Ps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Product, Price, Place, and Promotion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Product Manager works hand in hand with other departments and interdisciplinary teams to collect the needs of each of them. He\/she will transform them into feasible solutions to implement on the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, the Buyer receives orders to buy necessary items for the company. The Retail Category Manager looks for the items that will most interest the brand\u2019s clients and, the Indirect Category Manager searches for the goods or services necessary to achieve the strategic objectives of the company. The Product Manager is responsible for the management of the creation of new products or services and maximum profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 In Summary<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Buyers receive orders to buy necessary items for the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Retail Category Managers look for the most interesting items for the brand\u2019s customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Indirect Category Managers search for the goods or services necessary to achieve the strategic goals of the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2013 Product Managers are in charge of the development of new products from their creation until the end of their life cycle, implementing the guidelines given by the different departments involved in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working Methodology of a Retail Category Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Retail Category Manager is decisive for a successful Point-of-Sale (POS). It\u2019s an 8-step methodology:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Category definition:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To define the product categories and their target audience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7 Role of each category:<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Definition of what needs to be covered in each category based on 4 main roles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n