Category Manager

Job Title: Category Manager - Spares

Job Location: Gurgaon

Full Time: WFO - 5 days

Reports to: Head of Strategy

Industry: Only from Automobile / Automobile Spare parts Companies

About the Role:

We are looking for a driven, hands-on individual who will build and scale our client Spares business. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role for someone who thrives in ambiguity and is passionate about taking an idea from zero to one, one to ten then to hundred.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Research & Opportunity Mapping:

- Conduct in-depth primary and secondary market research to identify high-potential product categories for private label launches in the automobile spare parts industry

- Analyze make-model-variant data to prioritize SKUs with maximum demand and margin opportunity

- Deep-dive into technical nuances and specifications of shortlisted categories

Supplier Development:

- Identify and evaluate potential manufacturing partners and white-label suppliers for each product category

- Conduct factory visits, assess production capabilities, quality control processes, and negotiate favorable commercial terms

- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships for long-term collaboration

- Conduct in-depth technical benchmarking across shortlisted vendors and products

Go-To-Market Strategy:

- Work closely with the marketing and sales teams to define positioning, pricing, and launch plans for each private label product

- Support in development of sales enablement material and training for sales teams

Product Development & Packaging:

- Liaise with the design team to create appealing, functional, and cost-effective packaging

- Ensure packaging aligns with brand positioning, regulatory standards, and customer expectations

- Coordinate with packaging vendor(s) for packaging procurement and supply to vendors

Supply Chain & Operations:

- Coordinate with the supply chain and procurement teams to ensure smooth inventory planning, storage, and last-mile delivery

Desired Qualifications & Skills:

- 5+ years of experience in product development in the automobile spare parts industry, experience of launching new brands or products in the spare parts industry is a plus.

- Strong exposure to vendor management and supplier negotiations; experience in spare parts or automotive sector is required.

- Excellent market research and analytical skills - ability to break down large problems into actionable steps.

- Ability to work cross-functionally with design, marketing, sales, and operations teams.

- Strong business acumen, negotiation skills, and a founder-like mindset.

Preferred candidates who have exp in working as a Category Mgr - who works with newline of business, Category Research, Go to Market Strategy, Operations, Opportunity mapping, Packaging, Product Development, Supplier Development, Supply Chain.