Category Development Manager - UAE

Arla Foods; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Promoting from within

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Arla is seeking a seasoned Market Category Expert to localize regional strategies for the UAE market and drive category growth across channels. You will shape the marketing mix, develop shop-floor initiatives, and work with cross-functional teams to unlock opportunities and deliver value to consumers in a dynamic dairy category.

The role demands 8–10 years in FMCG, strong analytical skills, and a strategic mindset to translate insights into actions that boost market share and profitability.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in business/commercial development, category management, sales, or marketing within FMCG.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, channels, and shopper behavior.
• Proven ability to translate insights into growth strategies and market plans.

Responsibilities

• Define and localize growth drivers for the local market in line with regional strategy.
• Own market-level JTBDs and tailor 4P toolkits and sell-ins for relevance.
• Analyze category performance and unlock opportunities with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with NRM to optimize pricing and promotions for growth.
• Deliver regular reports and strategic insights to internal teams.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Business development

Market insights

Creative problem solving

Analytical skills

Tools

Nielsen data

EPOS data

Job description

Job Description:

At Arla, we do so much more than make some of the world’s favorite dairy products. We make healthy taste delicious, mornings worth getting up for, and family dinners unforgettable. Puck®, Lurpak®, The Three Cows®, Starbucks®, and Castello® Galaxy® – names like these make us a vital, natural part of modern life in over 100 countries around the world. There are 1,200 employees in the Middle East and Africa and 19,000 global employees at the heart of our business. Every single one of us plays an important role and together we build on our 15bn Euros turnover and establish our position as one of the largest dairy companies in the world.

Join Our Team and Shape the Future of Dairy!

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of dairy products? Are you excited about transforming insights into strategic growth? We're on the lookout for a dynamic Market Category Expert to revolutionize our approach to category strategy and growth. This is your chance to play a pivotal role in localizing regional strategies and tailoring them to our local market.

Why You'll Love Working at Arla

We are a team dedicated to innovation and excellence, offering a collaborative environment and exciting challenges. You'll have the opportunity to drive real change in the dairy industry. As a Category Development Manager, you will be at the forefront of our category growth strategy, setting the direction of our marketing mix, driving innovations, and enhancing our market presence. You will collaborate strongly with different stakeholders to unlock the full potential of our product offerings while delivering value to our consumers and shoppers.

Responsibilities

• Define and localize medium to long-term growth drivers that resonate with the local
• customers, consumers and shoppers.
• Develop and own market-level JTBDs, shaping the future of our category.
• Be the go-to market category expert, providing insightful analysis and uncovering new
• opportunities.
• Customize 4P category toolkits, trade decks, and NPD sell-ins to ensure relevance and
• effectiveness.
• Enhance consumer understanding and deep dive into shopper behaviour and market trends, to set the right strategic direction and propose innovations.
• Collaborate and work hand in hand with NRM team to optimize pricing and promotions, driving profitable and sustainable growth.
• Implement the Perfect Store methodology for exceptional market presence and channel success.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of category initiatives, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve targets.
• Stay updated on industry developments, market trends, and competitor activities to
• identify potential threats and opportunities.
• Provide regular reports and presentations on category performance and insights to internal stakeholders

Your specific tasks

• In-Depth Category Analysis Use the 4P’s framework to transform strategy into actionable plans, optimizing our market approach, and drive shopper centricity.
• NPD Toolkit Localization Customize regional toolkits to suit local market/channel dynamics.
• Business Case Development Lead the creation of bottom-up business cases to achieve market-relevant results and capitalize on potential opportunities.
• Promo Menu Creation Design targeted promotional menus by category and channel to enhance engagement and drive sustainable growth.

What Would Make You Successful.

• Strategic Thinking Ability to anticipate and shape the future of dairy categories in-store, with strong capabilities in developing and expanding market strategies.
• Professional Experience 8-10 years of experience in business/commercial development, category management, sales, or marketing roles within an FMCG company or retailer.
• Business Development Mindset Proactively drive the business and commercial agenda to achieve strategic goals.
• Market Insight Expertise in market, channel, and shopper dynamics to leverage growth opportunities for Arla and the category.
• Creative Problem Solving Pragmatic and innovative approach to achieving category excellence.
• Analytical Expertise Proficiency in data retrieval, analysis, and generating insights using tools like Nielsen & EPOS data.

What We Offer

At Arla, we are committed to professional development and promoting from within. You will join a positive, collaborative culture and a market leader with household-favorite brands, contributing to sustainable practices that benefit our customers, farmers, and the planet.

Would you like to join us?

If you want to be part of a dynamic team and help shape the future of dairy, seize this exciting opportunity! The closing date for this advert will be 4th September 2026.

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.

Ref. 110602