Category manager

The Accessories Business Lead will be responsible for end-to-end P&L management of the accessories vertical across all i Planet offline and online channels. This includes 1st party Apple accessories, 3rd party accessory brands, and service-related value-added offerings. This role requires strategic vision, deep understanding of the category, marketing execution capability, strong vendor management, and cross-functional leadership to drive profitable and scalable growth.
Key Responsibility Areas (KRAs):
1. Business & P&L Ownership
• Own and deliver the overall P&L for the Accessories category (Offline, Online, B2 B, Education)
• Define category-wise revenue, GP, and NP targets; monitor variance vs AOP (Annual Operating Plan)
• Drive strategic profitability initiatives including margin expansion and cost control levers
• Manage sell-in and sell-through planning across formats (APR stores, Ecom, Enterprise)
2. Product Portfolio & Category Management
• Design the end-to-end accessory portfolio covering:
o Apple 1st Party (Cables, Chargers, Hubs, Covers, etc.)
o 3rd Party Apple-compatible (Cases, Chargers, Temper Glass)
o Premium Lifestyle Accessories (Marshall, Tucano, etc.)
• Evaluate new product additions and rationalize underperforming SKUs
• Lead lifecycle management: Launch, Peak Sales, Liquidation strategy
• Benchmark competition regularly and plan competitive assortments
3. GTM & Channel Strategy
• Plan and execute launch GTM strategy for each product/SKU (by region, by channel)
• Define channel-wise mix strategy: Retail, B2 B, Online, Service Centers
• Drive bundling and value-pack innovation across categories
• Ensure availability across key sales points through regular demand planning with SCM
4. Marketing & Campaign Planning
• Co-create marketing calendars (offline & online) with brand & retail marketing teams
• Develop accessory-specific campaigns focusing on:
o High-margin push o Conversion boosters
o Festive promotions & new launches
• Execute category marketing plans with targeted ROI and performance benchmarks
5. Vendor & Brand Management
• Manage direct vendor relationships (Apple, Ingram, Reddington, 3 P brands)
• Negotiate better commercials, stock support, and marketing funds
• Ensure timely planning and execution of MDF utilization
• Engage with accessory brands for exclusive launches and store partnerships
6. Retail Training & Enablement
• Create training modules and refreshers for store promoters and sales teams
• Work with Training team to build strong attach story and bundle pitch
• Conduct quarterly accessory knowledge sessions across regions
• Monitor salesforce KPIs like attach rate, contribution per bill
7. Analytics, Forecasting & Insights
• Use data to drive planning: weekly category dashboards, sell-thru rates, GM%
• Forecast demand by SKU/region/store with coordination from Supply Chain
• Analyze reasons for low attach, price mismatch or stock-outs
• Present monthly performance with clear insights and actionable plans
8. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Work closely with: o Retail & Ecom for pricing, bundling, and display o SCM for stock availability and liquidation
o Marketing for campaign execution
o Service Team for attach of services like AC+ and PP+
9. Store Merchandising & Execution
• Plan and drive accessory display norms by store format (APP, APR, ARR, Service Centers)
• Drive standardization of visual merchandising across stores
• Coordinate with VM team for accessory launches and seasonal displays