Category Buyer & Toys & Children’s Products

Plum Jobs; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UAE retailer is seeking an experienced Category Buyer to manage and grow the toys and children's product categories. The successful candidate will oversee category strategy, product range development, and revenue growth across retail and e-commerce. A strong background in category management, supplier negotiation, and analytical skills is essential. Candidates must be based in the UAE, fluent in English, and capable of travel to China and Europe.

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience as a category buyer in toys, children’s products, or FMCG.
• Proven multi-channel expertise across retail and e-commerce.
• Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables).

Responsibilities

• Manage toys & children’s category across retail and e-commerce.
• Negotiate with local and international suppliers.
• Analyze sales data to identify growth opportunities.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

E-commerce expertise

Excel skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview

Our client is a well-established UAE retailer with a fast growing e-commerce presence, operating across physical stores and online channels.

Role

We are hiring an experienced Category Buyer to manage and grow the toys, children’s, party, and novelty categories.

The successful candidate will be responsible for defining category strategy, building commercially successful product ranges, expanding supplier networks, and driving revenue growth across retail and e-commerce channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the toys &
  children’s category across retail and e-commerce, building ranges that drive sales, margin, and customer demand.
• Source and negotiate
  with local and international suppliers to secure competitive pricing, quality, and commercial terms.
• Develop category plans
  based on shopper insights, trends, and sales performance.
• Manage buying,
  forecasting, replenishment, and inventory to meet revenue targets and minimize stock risk.
• Analyze sales, margin,
  and stock data to identify growth opportunities and improve category performance.
• Ensure all products meet
  quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with retail and
  e-commerce teams on pricing, promotions, and campaign execution.

Mandatory Skills & Experience

• 7+ years’ experience as
  a category buyer in toys, children’s products, party and novelty items, babywear or FMCG.
• Strong buying,
  merchandising, pricing, and category management experience to drive revenue and profit growth.
• Proven multi‑channel
  expertise across retail and e‑commerce - strong understanding of e‑commerce vs
  in‑store shopping comparisons and trends.
• Strong shopper insight
  capability (aisle layout, PoS, merchandising strategies).
• Solid commercial and
  financial acumen with experience managing sales, margin, and inventory targets.
• Forward‑thinking,
  trend‑aware, and customer‑focused approach to category growth.
• Advanced Excel skills
  (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables).

Candidate Profile

• Currently based in the UAE and able to live and work in Dubai.
• Fluent in English – must
  be able to read, write and speak fluent English.
• Professional appearance,
  strong work ethic, and excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Must be able to travel
  to China and Europe.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree