Portfolio Manager: Beauty
Listing reference: click_027850
Listing status: Online
Apply by: 10 November 2026
Position summary
Industry: Wholesale & Retail Trade
Job category: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain
Location: Cape Town
Contract: Permanent
EE position: No
About our company
Clicks Group
Introduction
Clicks Group is looking for a commercially sharp and innovative Portfolio Manager: Beauty to lead our Beauty portfolio of categories. Reporting to the Commercial Executive: Beauty, you will drive best-in-class performance within the South African retail context, lead product innovation and differentiation, and develop the category teams who bring our Beauty offer to life.
Job description
About the role
You will lead the Beauty portfolio to achieve and exceed its financial targets, while coordinating, directing and developing the category teams to build the commercial capability needed to sustain that performance. Your key responsibilities will include:
Leading the development of Beauty category operating plans that align with business objectives
Reviewing top-down and bottom-up financial plans against the merchandise calendar to accurately forecast portfolio targets
Achieving and exceeding portfolio sales, margin and profit targets, and ensuring strong vendor relationships are built and maintained
Providing direction on global Beauty trends, including private label and exclusive brand opportunities, to grow market share and customer loyalty
Driving innovation and differentiation through product selection, in-store presentation and exclusivity
Coordinating promotional and day-to-day sales and margin targets, and analysing market and category performance to take corrective action
Coaching and developing Category Managers, creating clear career paths and succession cover for the portfolio
You will lead the Beauty portfolio to achieve and exceed its financial targets, while coordinating, directing and developing the category teams to build the commercial capability needed to sustain that performance. Your key responsibilities will include:
Leading the development of Beauty category operating plans that align with business objectives
Reviewing top-down and bottom-up financial plans against the merchandise calendar to accurately forecast portfolio targets
Achieving and exceeding portfolio sales, margin and profit targets, and ensuring strong vendor relationships are built and maintained
Providing direction on global Beauty trends, including private label and exclusive brand opportunities, to grow market share and customer loyalty
Driving innovation and differentiation through product selection, in-store presentation and exclusivity
Coordinating promotional and day-to-day sales and margin targets, and analysing market and category performance to take corrective action
Coaching and developing Category Managers, creating clear career paths and succession cover for the portfolio
Minimum requirements
Minimum requirements
B Comm/ Retail and/or Purchasing Management Degree
4 to 6 years' experience at Merchandise Manager/Senior Buyer level or equivalent, including leading and developing a team of Buyers or Category Managers
Proven track record of delivering sales, margin and market share growth across a multi-category retail portfolio
Strong financial and commercial knowledge of retail trading, including P&L management, gross margin, budgeting and forecasting
Thorough knowledge of retail buying and merchandise planning processes, and of supplier commercial agreements, trading terms and vendor income
Sound understanding of South African retail market trends and competitor activity
Strong strategic and commercial planning, analytical, range, pricing and promotional planning skills
Advanced negotiation skills, with the ability to secure favourable trading terms while maintaining long-term vendor partnerships
Strong people leadership, conflict resolution, communication and influencing skills
Advantageous
Business Science, BCom, MBA or CIS qualification
In-depth knowledge of the beauty and personal care market, including skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and haircare, and of global beauty trends and emerging brands
Experience developing and launching private label or exclusive brands, and working with global or multinational beauty brand partners
Experience using customer loyalty and data insights to shape range, pricing and promotions, and trading across omnichannel and e-commerce
Advanced proficiency in retail planning, BI and reporting tools such as SAP, Power BI and Excel
B Comm/ Retail and/or Purchasing Management Degree
4 to 6 years' experience at Merchandise Manager/Senior Buyer level or equivalent, including leading and developing a team of Buyers or Category Managers
Proven track record of delivering sales, margin and market share growth across a multi-category retail portfolio
Strong financial and commercial knowledge of retail trading, including P&L management, gross margin, budgeting and forecasting
Thorough knowledge of retail buying and merchandise planning processes, and of supplier commercial agreements, trading terms and vendor income
Sound understanding of South African retail market trends and competitor activity
Strong strategic and commercial planning, analytical, range, pricing and promotional planning skills
Advanced negotiation skills, with the ability to secure favourable trading terms while maintaining long-term vendor partnerships
Strong people leadership, conflict resolution, communication and influencing skills
Advantageous
Business Science, BCom, MBA or CIS qualification
In-depth knowledge of the beauty and personal care market, including skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and haircare, and of global beauty trends and emerging brands
Experience developing and launching private label or exclusive brands, and working with global or multinational beauty brand partners
Experience using customer loyalty and data insights to shape range, pricing and promotions, and trading across omnichannel and e-commerce
Advanced proficiency in retail planning, BI and reporting tools such as SAP, Power BI and Excel
If you are a results-driven retail leader who thrives on innovation, vendor partnerships and developing high-performing teams, we would love to hear from you.