Our partner, a fast-growing international non-food discount retail chain, is entering the Bulgarian market and building a strong local team. In this context, a vacancy for a Category Manager / Buyer (Bulgaria) has been opened.
The company has demonstrated impressive growth, increasing its store network more than tenfold in just six years and surpassing 1,800 locations by October 2025.
According to the Colliers ExCEEDING Borders Retail Report 2024, it is among the three largest non-food discounter chains in Central and Eastern Europe.
Supported by Horizon Capital (USA) — a leading regional private equity fund with over $1.5 billion under management — the company continues to strengthen its market presence and expand internationally.
We are now seeking an experienced Category Manager / Buyer to lead assortment development and build long-term supplier partnerships in FMCG for the Bulgarian market.
- Supplier sourcing: Identify and onboard local producers and distributors in FMCG categories (beauty, food, household chemicals, pet food, etc.).
- Assortment development: Collect and analyze price lists, validate SKU proposals, align selections with HQ commerce.
- Negotiations: Secure competitive purchase prices, favorable payment terms, and promotional agreements.
- Analytics: Perform assortment gap analysis, price benchmarking, and basic GMROI evaluations.
- Compliance: Manage contract signing, collect product documentation, ensure labeling and certification compliance.
- Collaboration: Work closely with the Expansion Commercial Manager to finalize supplier agreements.
- Proven experience as a Category Manager / Buyer / Procurement Specialist in retail or FMCG, preferably discount/value retail.
- Strong network of Bulgarian suppliers and manufacturers.
- Existing database of relevant suppliers (manufacturers/importers).
- Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of local market dynamics, pricing trends, and consumer behavior.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, startup-like environment with remote teams.
- Fluent in Bulgarian and English (written and spoken).
- Salary: we’re listening to your expectations
- Opportunity to shape the commercial strategy of a new international retail project in Bulgaria.
- Direct impact on assortment and supplier partnerships.
- Support from an international HQ team.