Category Specialist – Sweets & Confectionary

METRO Pakistan (Pvt) Limited, part of the global METRO GROUP, has been a leading player in the wholesale cash & carry sector since its first center opened in Pakistan in 2007. Following a strategic merger with Makro-Habib in 2012, the company strengthened its market position and expanded its operations to 10 wholesale centers across Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Islamabad, and Faisalabad. As a part of METRO Cash & Carry, which operates over 750 stores in 25 countries with a workforce exceeding 107,000 employees, METRO Pakistan continues to focus on delivering value to customers and suppliers through innovation, operational excellence, and strong partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

- Take full ownership of commercial KPIs including sales, margin, and supply chain performance to drive business growth.
- Lead sourcing excellence initiatives and supplier development activities, ensuring the procurement of high-quality products.
- Manage the supply chain proactively to guarantee 100% shelf availability, accounting for seasonal trends and dynamic market changes.
- Conduct regular and thorough market and competitor surveys, responding swiftly to competitive challenges.
- Collaborate closely with the sales team to develop and expand the B2B customer base.
- Work alongside the merchandising and store operations teams to optimize in-store merchandising.
- Oversee end-to-end promotions management in partnership with head office colleagues, including finalizing promotional pricing, monitoring stock levels, executing shelf displays, and performing post-promotion analysis.
- Ensure strict compliance with tendering and negotiation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) specific to product categories.
- Maintain comprehensive records of all audit-related documentation such as tenders, negotiations, price confirmations, and supplier or article listings.
- Initiate and develop new projects within the sweets and confectionery categories aimed at significantly increasing both top-line revenue and bottom-line profitability.

Required Qualifications

- A university degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or any related management discipline from a recognized institution.
- Between 2 to 4 years of relevant industry experience demonstrating a solid understanding of wholesale or retail operations.

Preferred Skills and Competencies

- Strong business acumen with the ability to engage effectively with people and manage multiple stakeholders.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with proven negotiation skills and a results-oriented approach.
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities and a growth mindset focused on continuous improvement.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to analyze complex situations and develop strategic solutions.
- High level of subject matter expertise combined with social skills that facilitate change management and team collaboration.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and growing organization within a global retail leader, providing a platform for professional growth and impact in the wholesale sector.