Assistant Manager

Role Overview: As the Category Lead for Oils, you will own the P&L and strategic growth of theOils category within the B2B HoReCa segment. You’ll drive business outcomes through deep market understanding, supplier partnerships, sourcing excellence, assortment optimization and data-backed decision-making. This role is ideal for a category professional passionate about food commodities, supply chain dynamics and customer-centric innovation in the hospitality and foodservice industry. Key Responsibilities 1. Category Ownership & Growth Strategy * Own the Category P&L – driving topline growth, margin improvement, and working capital efficiency across the Oils portfolio. * Develop and execute the category growth strategy in line with organizational goals and market opportunities. * Identify and act on category growth levers – assortment, pricing, supply chain optimization, and brand/vendor collaborations. * Maintain a deep understanding of the B2B Oils market – consumption trends, price movements, bulk buying patterns, and brand positioning within the HoReCa ecosystem. 2. Market Understanding & Competitive Intelligence * Conduct regular market and competitor analysis (brands, pack sizes, price points, and sourcing models). * Stay on top of commodity price fluctuations, trade policies, and regional demand trends affecting edible oils. * Anticipate shifts in HoReCa customer behavior and proactively adjust sourcing and assortment strategies. 3. Sourcing, Procurement & Vendor Management * Lead vendor sourcing and negotiations for both branded and private-label oils. * Build strong relationships with manufacturers, distributors and aggregators to ensure consistent supply, quality, and competitive pricing. * Manage stock positions and procurement planning to align with demand forecasts and price movements. * Drive end-to-end catalogue management – from vendor onboarding to SKU listing, pricing and pricing accuracy. 4. Assortment & Merchandising * Curate the optimal assortment for the HoReCa segment focusing on relevance, pack sizes and value-based pricing. * Collaborate with the supply chain and operations teams to ensure seamless availability and timely replenishment. * 5. Promotions, Marketing & Growth Initiatives * Leverage data insights to plan targeted promotions, bulk deals and volume-based incentives for HoReCa customers. 6. Cross-Functional Collaboration * Work closely with internal teams – Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, Growth & Analytics and Operations to deliver business objectives. * Set up category SOPs and best practices for pricing, inventory management, vendor engagementand catalog health. Desired Skills & Qualifications * 2+ years of experience in category management, sourcing, or procurement, ideally inFMCG/B2B Food Supply or Agri Commodities. * Understanding of the HoReCa market and how buying behavior differs from retail consumers. * Proven experience managing P&L, sourcing contracts and large vendor portfolios. * Ability to analyze market trends and price indices to take smart stock positions and manage category risk. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make data-backed decisions in a dynamic environment. * Excellent communication and negotiation skills with an ability to build long-term strategic partnerships. * A self-starter with high ownership, attention to detail, and the agility to thrive in a fast-paced start-up ecosystem.