Area Manager

MacGregor Black; Dubai; On-site; AED 213,000 - 255,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Annual economy flights

22 working days leave

End-of-service gratuity

Laptop provided

Smartphone provided

Job summary

MacGregor Black is partnering with a leading Alcoholic Beverage Distributor in Dubai to recruit an Area Manager for Global Travel Retail. The role focuses on developing Duty Free customers and growing an extensive brand portfolio across the channel.

Ideal candidates have 3–5 years of commercial sales experience within Global Travel Retail, with a track record of securing listings and managing Duty Free relationships. UAE-based or willing to relocate to Dubai is preferred.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years' commercial sales or account management experience.
• Proven experience selling into Global Travel Retail / Duty Free customers.
• Direct experience managing relationships with Duty Free buyers or commercial decision-makers.
• Experience securing listings and growing distribution within travel retail.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop relationships with Duty Free buyers and operators.
• Sell brands into Travel Retail customers and secure listings.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, promotions, visibility and placement.
• Drive sales growth, profitability and market share across accounts.
• Maximise visibility and shelf/floor space for priority brands.
• Develop customer-specific commercial plans based on category opportunities.
• Lead sell-in for new product launches and expand ranges.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain to support objectives.

Skills

Travel Retail

Account Management

Negotiation

Presentation

English Fluent

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• Do you have experience selling brands into Global Travel Retail or Duty Free customers?
• Have you directly managed Duty Free buyers, securing listings, distribution and commercial agreements?
• Would you like to represent an exceptional portfolio of global brands across a growing international Travel Retail market?

MacGregor Black is partnering with a leading Alcoholic Beverage Distributor on the search for an Area Manager – Global Travel Retail, this is a permanent role based in Dubai.

This is a commercially focused sell-in role, responsible for developing Duty Free customers and growing an extensive portfolio of internationally recognised brands across the channel.

We are specifically looking for candidates who have sold into Global Travel Retail, representing a brand, supplier or distributor and managing commercial relationships with Duty Free buyers and operators.

Experience within Wine, Spirits or Beer would be preferred, but candidates from other established Travel Retail categories including Beauty, Fashion, Tobacco and premium consumer goods will also be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and develop commercial relationships with Duty Free buyers, purchasing teams and operators
• Sell brands into Travel Retail customers, securing new listings and increasing distribution
• Negotiate commercial agreements, promotional activity, visibility and placement with key customers
• Drive sales growth, profitability and market share across assigned accounts
• Maximise visibility, merchandising, shelf and floor space for priority brands
• Develop customer‑specific commercial plans based on category, traveller and market opportunities
• Lead sell‑in for new product launches and identify opportunities to expand existing ranges
• Work closely with customers to maximise orders, availability and stock performance
• Implement promotional and marketing programmes that support both brand and commercial objectives
• Monitor sales, pricing, promotional activity and competitor performance
• Conduct regular customer and market visits to maintain relationships and execution standards
• Work cross‑functionally with Marketing, Customer Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain teams
• Support international brand partner visits, customer meetings and commercial presentations

Qualifications & Experience

• 3–5 years' commercial sales or account management experience
• Proven experience selling into Global Travel Retail / Duty Free customers
• Direct experience managing relationships with Duty Free buyers, purchasing teams or commercial decision‑makers
• Experience securing listings, negotiating commercial agreements and growing distribution within the channel
• Background representing a brand, supplier or distributor, rather than solely working within airport or Duty Free retail operations
• Drinks industry experience is preferred, although candidates from Beauty, Fashion, Tobacco or other premium branded categories are encouraged to apply
• Strong commercial understanding across pricing, margin, negotiation and account development
• Confident communicator with strong presentation and influencing skills
• Highly driven, commercially minded and comfortable working autonomously
• Degree educated
• Fluent written and spoken English
• Currently based in the Middle East or open to relocating to Dubai

Salary & Benefits

• Tax‑free monthly salary up to AED 21,000, dependent on experience
• Monthly performance incentives
• Private medical insurance for employee, spouse and up to three children
• Annual economy flights home for employee, spouse and up to three children
• 22 working days' annual leave + local holidays
• End‑of‑service gratuity
• Laptop and smartphone

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity or discuss your application, please contact Kieron Hall at MacGregor Black for further information.