Stefan Ivanov
Category Manager
Todor Dzhebarov 33 Str., City Of Sofia
Summary
Accomplished Category Manager with a proven track record at Billa Bulgaria Ltd., adept in leveraging data analytics and negotiating skills to drive category growth and optimize inventory costs. Demonstrated ability to mentor teams and enhance sales performance through strategic merchandising and pricing strategies. Skilled in fostering supplier relationships and executing market research analysis, achieving significant sales increases with a focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
2
2
Languages
Work History
Category Manager Beverages
Billa Bulgaria Ltd.
05.2024 - Current
- Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
- Mentored junior team members in category management best practices, contributing to a high-performing and collaborative work environment.
- Benchmarked category performance against industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted initiatives.
- Increased overall category sales by developing and executing strategic merchandising plans.
- Reduced inventory costs through effective vendor negotiations and optimizing product assortments.
- Conducted competitor analysis to stay informed about market dynamics and adjust strategic plans accordingly.
- Implemented data-driven pricing strategies to maximize profit margins while remaining competitive in the marketplace.
- Analyzed sales performance and adjusted marketing strategies to optimize revenue generation.
Category Manager Processed Meat
Billa Bulgaria Ltd.
07.2022 - 05.2024
- Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
- Mentored junior team members in category management best practices, contributing to a high-performing and collaborative work environment.
- Benchmarked category performance against industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted initiatives.
- Increased overall category sales by developing and executing strategic merchandising plans.
- Reduced inventory costs through effective vendor negotiations and optimizing product assortments.
- Conducted competitor analysis to stay informed about market dynamics and adjust strategic plans accordingly.
- Implemented data-driven pricing strategies to maximize profit margins while remaining competitive in the marketplace.
- Analyzed sales performance and adjusted marketing strategies to optimize revenue generation.
Category Manager Fresh Meat and Fish Products
Billa Bulgaria Ltd.
07.2021 - 07.2022
- Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal mix between high-margin items and cost-effective options for customers.
- Mentored junior team members in category management best practices, contributing to a high-performing and collaborative work environment.
- Benchmarked category performance against industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted initiatives.
- Increased overall category sales by developing and executing strategic merchandising plans.
- Reduced inventory costs through effective vendor negotiations and optimizing product assortments.
- Conducted competitor analysis to stay informed about market dynamics and adjust strategic plans accordingly.
- Implemented data-driven pricing strategies to maximize profit margins while remaining competitive in the marketplace.
- Analyzed sales performance and adjusted marketing strategies to optimize revenue generation.
Non-Food Category Officer
Eko Bulgaria EAD
02.2018 - 07.2021
- Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
- Managed a diverse portfolio of products, ensuring optimal product mix.
- Benchmarked category performance against industry standards, identifying areas for improvement and implementing targeted initiatives.
- Increased overall category sales by developing and executing strategic merchandising plans.
- Reduced inventory costs through effective vendor negotiations and optimizing product assortments.
- Conducted competitor analysis to stay informed about market dynamics and adjust strategic plans accordingly.
- Analyzed sales performance and adjusted marketing strategies to optimize revenue generation.
- Мanaging the entire process of leasing assets owned by the company.
Sales Representative
Karelia Bulgaria EOOD
09.2015 - 02.2018
- Expanded customer base through relationship building.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by addressing concerns promptly and providing exceptional service.
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase profits.
- Used customer insights to develop innovative sales strategies to increase sales.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive understanding of products, services and competitors to enhance sales presentations.
- Increased sales revenue by identifying and targeting high-potential accounts.
- Generated weekly and monthly reports on sales performance to provide recommendations to meet sales goals.
Institutional Client Specialist
Raiffeisen Bank EAD
01.2015 - 08.2015
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complex issues in a timely manner.
- Interacted with team members across departments to research and resolve customer issues.
- Performed activities on attracting of new clients, preparing tender procedures documentation.
- Consulted and negotiatied conditions on the offered banking products and services, according the specific client’s needs, analyzing and evaluating the credit risk on loan requests of institutional and corporate clients.
- Monitored the quality of granted loans through collecting and analyzing information for customers and their business, actively stimulating the cross sales of products and assist the sales force from other segments.
Lean Practitioner
Raiffeisen Bank Bulgaria EAD
02.2014 - 01.2015
- Improved the working processes within the retail branch netowork by applying the Lean methodology and instilling the continuous improvement mindset to the employees of the Bank.
- Performed coaching sessions among Bank's employees in order to excel their skills.
- Performed regular trainings among Bank's employees;
- Sent proposals for implementing new processes which could improve the whole working process within the Bank's retail branch network.
Small and Medium Enterprises Specialist
Raiffeisen Bank Bulgaria EAD
07.2012 - 02.2014
- Identified and targeted potential Small Business clients,
- Reached customers through cold calls and personal meetings.
- Identifyied clients ' s needs, presented suitable banking products and services, prepared tailor made offers.
- Managed portfolio of existing and potential clients.
- Performied financial analysis on regular basis.
- Worked with documents - preprared contracts and documentation related to collaterals.
Education
Bachelor Degree - Finance Control
University of National And World Economy
Sofia 04.2001 -
Certificate - Category Management
GS1 Germany GMBH
Vienna 04.2001 -
Skills
Negotiating skills
Sales
Category development
Sales Tracking
Supplier Relationship Management
Pricing strategy
Demand forecasting
Data Analytics
Promotional planning
Financial Acumen
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
MS Office Suite
Budget Forecasting
Organizational Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Self Motivation
Adaptability and Flexibility
Staff Management
Timeline
Category Manager Beverages
Billa Bulgaria Ltd.
05.2024 - Current
Category Manager Processed Meat
Billa Bulgaria Ltd.
07.2022 - 05.2024
Category Manager Fresh Meat and Fish Products
Billa Bulgaria Ltd.
07.2021 - 07.2022
Non-Food Category Officer
Eko Bulgaria EAD
02.2018 - 07.2021
Sales Representative
Karelia Bulgaria EOOD
09.2015 - 02.2018
Institutional Client Specialist
Raiffeisen Bank EAD
01.2015 - 08.2015
Lean Practitioner
Raiffeisen Bank Bulgaria EAD
02.2014 - 01.2015
Small and Medium Enterprises Specialist
Raiffeisen Bank Bulgaria EAD
07.2012 - 02.2014
Bachelor Degree - Finance Control
University of National And World Economy
04.2001 -
Certificate - Category Management
GS1 Germany GMBH
04.2001 -