Asst. Category Manager - Make Up | Retail | Watsons | UAE

Al-Futtaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Retail in the UAE seeks an Assistant Category Manager to coordinate buying activities, align product strategies with financial goals and support the Category Buyer. The role requires cross-functional collaboration, stock management and data-informed decision making to maximize store performance and meet customer needs.

You will work with suppliers and internal teams to ensure successful assortments, promotions and timely replenishment across locations, driving sales and gross margin.

Qualifications

• Strong decision‑making skills.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building abilities.
• Proven track record in achieving targets in a fast-moving, results-driven environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-functional, deadline-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate merchandising and promotional activities to ensure successful execution.
• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate execution of new store assortments and quantities.
• Develop performance reports to determine appropriate allocation for maximum results.
• Create in-store stock analysis by size for key classifications including exclusive brands and other brands.
• Handle queries from suppliers and work closely with them to ensure timely submission of proposals.
• Assist in price checks and obtain samples from suppliers.
• Communicate out-of-stock concerns to the Buying and Planning teams.
• Effectively communicate with Operations and Trading Support for promotions and trading activities.
• Manage and check purchase orders created in SAP.
• Raise shipment and purchase order discrepancy reports.

Skills

Decision making

Networking

Relationship building

Targets achievement

Job description

About Al-Futtaim

Established in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim is one of the most diversified and progressive privately held regional businesses, headquartered in Dubai. Operating across more than 20 countries, the Group spans automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and health. With more than 40,000 employees, Al-Futtaim represents over 200 of the world’s most recognised brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE and Marks & Spencer. Driven by its purpose to enrich lives and elevate communities, Al-Futtaim focuses on digital innovation, AI, sustainable growth and strategic partnerships, creating long-term value for customers, communities and partners while building a responsible legacy for future generations.

Overview Of The Role

The Assistant Category Manager coordinates and manages the activities within the buying department to ensure efficient execution of product strategies that align with financial goals. This role supports the Category Buyer in developing, communicating, and executing product strategies. Success in this role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, maintaining stock levels, achieving sales targets, and using data analysis to inform decision-making processes. The role involves significant interaction with suppliers and internal stakeholders to maximize store performance and meet customer needs.

What You Will Do

Performance Analysis

• Assist and coordinate merchandising and promotional activities to ensure successful execution.
• Work with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate execution of new store assortments and quantities.
• Develop performance reports to determine appropriate allocation for maximum results.
• Create in-store stock analysis by size for key classifications including exclusive brands and other brands.
• Handle queries from suppliers and work closely with them to ensure timely submission of proposals.
• Assist in price checks and obtain samples from suppliers.
• Communicate out-of-stock concerns to the Buying and Planning teams.
• Effectively communicate with Operations and Trading Support for promotions and trading activities.
• Manage and check purchase orders created in SAP.
• Raise shipment and purchase order discrepancy reports.

Performance and Financial Goals Achievement

• Ensure timely and accurate execution of new store assortments and initial distributions and replenishment for existing locations.
• Maintain correct stock levels by store.
• Meet or exceed sales, gross margin, and inventory turn goals.
• Analyze and communicate location performance, including sales/inventory comparisons, seasonality, and marketing impacts.
• Develop departmental distribution strategies to capture location-based opportunities through quantifying volume and profit opportunities analysis.
• Follow product from receipt at the Distribution Centre to point of allocation and complete receipt at store level, especially important during floor set time periods.
• Generate and review range analysis reports at the end of each phase/season to share successes and learn from mistakes.

Field Communication

• Participate in weekly cross-functional meetings to share information on current business issues.
• Develop knowledge of regional variances, store attributes and trends through data analysis and field communication.
• Develop effective field relationships to capture location opportunities and liabilities.

Required Skills To Be Successful

• Strong decision-making skills.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building abilities.
• Proven track record in achieving targets in a fast-moving, results-driven environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-functional, deadline-driven environment.

What Qualifies You For The Role

• Experience in a similar role within a retail brand, preferably in the GCC region.
• Strong interest in the beauty industry.
• Ability to make strong decisions, network, and build relationships.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and career-focused with excellent attention to detail.

About Al-Futtaim Retail

At Al-Futtaim Retail, we are part of a 90-year legacy built on ambition, progress and long-term vision. As one of the region’s leading retail operators, we partner with some of the world’s most trusted brands – including IKEA, ACE, Marks & Spencer and the Inditex Group – bringing global excellence to customers across MENA and Southeast Asia.

We don’t just operate stores; we shape retail experiences. From launching brands like Watsons and Kiabi to our regions for the first time, to investing in digital innovation, AI capabilities, the customer experience and loyalty platforms, we are constantly redefining the future of retail.

With over 100 nationalities spread across more than 10 countries, our strength lies in our diverse and collaborative community. Here, you’re equipped to turn your ambition into action, building the career you want, while helping us move retail forwards.

Join us and be part of The Heart of Tomorrow.