CityMall - Category Manager Head - Fashion Buying

We're seeking an experienced and strategic Category Manager Head to lead our Fashion Buying team. The ideal candidate will develop and implement category strategies, build and maintain supplier relationships, and drive cost savings while ensuring quality, service excellence, and compliance with organizational policies.

Location : Sector 62 Gurgaon Haryana

Key Responsibilities:

1. Category Strategy Development: Develop, implement, and manage category strategies for Fashion Buying, aligned with business objectives.

2. Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring quality, service, and cost competitiveness.

3. Procurement Process Management: Lead procurement processes, including RFPs, RFIs, and contract negotiations, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

4. Cost Savings and Optimization: Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities through strategic sourcing, process improvements, and supplier negotiations.

5. Market Research and Analysis: Conduct market research, analyze industry trends, and provide insights to inform category strategies.

6. Team Management: Lead and manage a team of category managers and buyers, providing guidance, coaching, and development opportunities.

7. Performance Metrics and Reporting: Track and report key performance indicators (KPIs), including cost savings, supplier performance, and category metrics.

8. Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with design, product development, and merchandising teams to ensure alignment and effective communication.

Requirements:

1. Education: Bachelor's degree in Fashion, Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (Must from NIFT ).

2. Experience: Minimum 8-10 years of experience in fashion buying, procurement, or a related field, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.

Skills:

- Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.

- Experience with procurement software, such as ERP systems or e-sourcing platforms.

- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, prioritizing multiple projects and deadlines.

- Strong business acumen, with a focus on cost savings, quality, and service excellence.

- Knowledge of fashion industry trends, including sustainability, digitalization, and consumer behavior.

Experience across fashion value retail space (companies like Vishal, Dmart, Vmart); Ecommerce experience is a plus!

About CityMall:

CityMall is a series C funded e-commerce platform focused on 500 million new to internet users,collectively referred to as Bharat. As a horizontal e-commerce player, CityMall focuses on categories including grocery, FMCG products, electronics, apparel, household items & general merchandise.Bharat consumers are untouched by traditional E-commerce with large players like Flipkart, Blinkit & Big Basket largely operating in the tier-1 & metropolitan cities of India and focusing on relatively premium households. Key bottlenecks for penetrating Bharat households are lack of trust, lack of familiarity to browse & purchase online, low average order value (which makes economic viability a challenge for the platforms), and lack of online credit channels (which neighbourhood stores offer).

CityMall is a highly effective channel to serve these consumers through a layer of "Community Partners". Community Partners act as social & geographical connectors between the end consumers and CityMall.They help us in reducing the last mile delivery cost and thereby make our operations cost the most efficient and lowest in comparison to all ecommerce platforms, making it viable to serve this consumer profitably.

Founded by IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur and IIT Roorkee alumni with 10+ years of entrepreneurial experience,CityMall aims to bring e-commerce to Bharat consumers.

CityMall is backed by Top tier VCs like General Catalyst, Jungle Ventures, Elevation Capital, Norwest & Accel Partners.