Category Lead - Staples

This position extends beyond procurement, as you will manage the complete lifecycle of staple products—from sourcing and pricing to quality control and overseeing the category P&L.

In this role, you will function as a mini-General Manager for the category, taking charge of enhancing margin growth, ensuring product-market fit, and driving scalability.

Roles & Responsibilities

1. Category P&L Ownership

• Take full responsibility for the revenue, margins, and profitability of staples.


• Drive gross margins above branded category benchmarks.


• Optimize the product mix between private label and branded SKUs.

2. Sourcing & Supply Chain Development

• Identify and onboard manufacturers, millers, and contract partners.


• Negotiate cost structures, terms of trade (TOTs), and long-term supply agreements.


• Develop a reliable, cost-effective sourcing network ensuring consistent quality.

3. Product Development & Quality

• Define product specifications including quality, grading, and packaging.


• Collaborate with vendors to create differentiated SKUs tailored for Bharat consumers.


• Ensure strict quality control and batch-to-batch consistency.

4. Pricing & Value Leadership

• Develop pricing strategies that provide clear value compared to branded alternatives.


• Monitor commodity price fluctuations and adjust pricing dynamically.


• Balance expanding margins with maintaining price competitiveness.

5. Assortment & Merchandising Strategy

• Build a focused, high-turnover assortment for staples.


• Enhance in-store visibility for staple products.


• Create merchandising and bundling strategies to boost product adoption.

6. Demand, Inventory & Scale

• Accurately forecast demand and maintain high fill rates across stores.


• Collaborate with supply chain teams to maintain optimal inventory levels.


• Scale successful SKUs across multiple regions and formats.

7. Category Growth & Adoption

• Drive brand penetration within the staples category.


• Partner with marketing and operations teams on in-store and app-based interventions.


• Monitor repeat purchase rates, customer feedback, and product performance.

8. Analytics & Performance Tracking

• Monitor key metrics including:
  
  
  
  • Gross margin percentage
  
  
  • Staples' category share
  
  
  • Sell-through rates and inventory turnover
  
  
  • Repeat purchase rates
  
  
  
  


• Identify underperforming SKUs and implement exit strategies or improvement plans.

What we are looking for

• 4 to 8 years of experience in staples procurement, commodity trading, or category management.


• Strong expertise in oil, grains, spices, pulses, or related staples categories.


• Experience collaborating with manufacturers and contract production partners.


• Solid commercial acumen with a P&L ownership mindset.


• Deep understanding of commodity cycles and cost structures.


• Ability to balance cost, quality, and consumer value effectively.


• Structured thinker with excellent execution skills.


• High sense of ownership and a proactive approach.