Category Development Manager – FMCG Marketing Career

Company: GBfoods Africa
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Job Type: Full-Time
Industry: FMCG, Consumer Goods, Food Manufacturing, Retail, Trade Marketing, Brand Management
Department: Marketing & Category Development

Job Overview

GBfoods Africa is seeking an experienced Category Development Manager to drive category growth, consumer engagement, trade marketing initiatives, and commercial performance across key markets. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a strategic marketing professional with strong experience in FMCG marketing, category management, brand development, retail marketing, shopper marketing, sales strategy, customer marketing, and business growth management.

The successful candidate will lead category development strategies, execute integrated marketing campaigns, improve product visibility, strengthen retail partnerships, and deliver sustainable business growth through data-driven decision-making.

Professionals interested in additional marketing, sales, FMCG, and business management opportunities can also explore vacancies through manager jobs in Nigeria where new positions are regularly published across multiple industries.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Business Growth

• Develop and execute category growth strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
• Identify market opportunities to increase category sales and profitability.
• Build long-term category development plans based on consumer insights and market trends.
• Support business expansion initiatives and channel development strategies.
• Drive category performance and sustainable revenue growth.

Brand Management & Marketing Campaigns

• Design and implement integrated marketing campaigns.
• Develop loyalty programs to improve customer engagement and retention.
• Create innovative branding initiatives and point-of-purchase (POP) materials.
• Manage campaign planning, execution, monitoring, and post-campaign evaluation.
• Coordinate promotional activities across multiple distribution channels.
• Ensure consistency in brand messaging and positioning.

Profit & Loss Management

• Manage category profit and loss performance.
• Monitor budget allocation and marketing investments.
• Ensure profitability targets are achieved according to business plans.
• Analyze return on investment (ROI) for promotional and trade activities.
• Optimize customer profitability and retailer margins.

Trade Marketing & Retail Development

• Develop channel-specific category plans.
• Design assortment strategies and shelf-layout recommendations.
• Strengthen relationships with retailers, distributors, and commercial partners.
• Execute merchandising programs and retail activation initiatives.
• Support new product introductions and listing opportunities.
• Improve product visibility and in-store execution standards.

Customer Marketing & Sales Support

• Develop promotional strategies and pricing recommendations.
• Lead trade launch activities and customer engagement programs.
• Conduct training programs for commercial partners and retail teams.
• Support sales teams through category insights and market intelligence.
• Drive product availability and distribution effectiveness.

Marketing professionals interested in expanding their career opportunities within East Africa may also explore current vacancies at manager jobs in Uganda where consumer goods, retail, and marketing sectors continue to experience growth.

Market Research & Consumer Insights

• Analyze customer purchasing behavior and market trends.
• Conduct off-take data analysis from key retail customers.
• Translate research findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Monitor competitor activities and category performance metrics.
• Provide insights that improve customer satisfaction and commercial outcomes.

Forecasting & Demand Planning

• Lead sales input into the S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) process.
• Develop accurate sales forecasts and growth projections.
• Support inventory planning and demand management initiatives.
• Track category performance against forecast targets.
• Implement corrective actions when required.

Educational Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Higher National Diploma (HND) in:
  • Marketing
  • Business Administration
  • Advertising
  • Management
  • Economics
  • Related Business Discipline

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) in a relevant field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postgraduate Degree (MBA or Master’s Degree).
• Professional certifications in Marketing, Brand Management, Sales Management, or Category Management.

Experience Requirements

Essential Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in:
  • FMCG Marketing
  • Trade Marketing
  • Category Management
  • Consumer Goods Marketing
  • Retail Marketing
  • Product Management
  • Brand Management

Industry Experience

Experience within:

• Food Manufacturing
• Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
• FMCG Industry
• Retail Networks
• Distribution Management
• Consumer Brands

Leadership Experience

• Previous managerial or supervisory experience is required.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

Technical Skills Required

• Category Management
• Trade Marketing
• Brand Strategy Development
• Shopper Marketing
• Retail Execution
• Marketing Analytics
• Consumer Insights Analysis
• Sales Forecasting
• Business Planning
• Pricing Strategy
• Distribution Management
• Customer Relationship Management
• Market Research
• Campaign Management
• Data Interpretation
• ROI Analysis

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership and Team Management
• Commercial Awareness
• Negotiation Skills
• Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving Ability
• Stakeholder Management
• Presentation Skills
• Decision-Making Capability
• Project Management
• Adaptability and Innovation

Training & Career Development

Successful candidates may benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities including:

• Advanced Category Management Training
• FMCG Leadership Programs
• Strategic Marketing Workshops
• Brand Building Certifications
• Consumer Behavior Analysis Training
• Sales Excellence Programs
• Business Analytics Development
• Commercial Management Training

Professionals seeking broader regional opportunities within marketing, retail management, brand development, sales leadership, and consumer goods industries can also review available positions through manager jobs in Tanzania where multinational employers continue to recruit experienced professionals.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: Competitive and confidential, based on qualifications, experience, leadership capabilities, and industry expertise.

Additional benefits may include:

• Performance Bonuses
• Health Insurance
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Leadership Development Programs
• Professional Certification Support
• Annual Performance Reviews
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Training and Development Opportunities

Why Join GBfoods Africa?

GBfoods Africa operates across multiple countries and serves millions of consumers through well-established food and consumer brands. This role offers exposure to:

• International FMCG Operations
• Strategic Brand Management
• Commercial Leadership
• Category Growth Planning
• Consumer Insights and Analytics
• Retail and Distribution Excellence
• Cross-Functional Business Management
• Regional Market Development

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the official GBfoods recruitment platform.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare:

• Updated CV/Resume
• Academic Certificates
• Professional Certifications
• Relevant Employment References

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews and further assessment stages.

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Position: Category Development Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: FMCG | Marketing | Brand Management | Consumer Goods | Retail Strategy