Category Manager

Miral; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Miral is seeking a senior retail buyer to lead the development and execution of product ranges across assigned categories. You will maintain strong supplier relationships, identify new opportunities, and collaborate with planning teams on buy plans and inventory forecasting.

In this role, you will monitor sales, stock, and margins to drive commercial results, ensure UAE regulatory testing and compliance, and work cross-functionally with Planning, Inventory, Compliance, Finance, Operations and

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in retail buying and product development.
• Experience managing products through the full lifecycle, from concept to market.
• Strong supplier and vendor management experience.
• Experience analyzing sales and inventory data to make commercial decisions.
• Knowledge of budgeting, gross profit management, and open-to-buy planning.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing the development and execution of retail product ranges within assigned categories.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers, vendors, and licensing partners.
• Identifying new product opportunities, market trends and sourcing solutions to enhance category performance.
• Collaborating with Merchandise Planning on buy plans, forecasting inventory, and intake schedules.
• Monitoring sales, stock performance, and margins to drive commercial results.
• Ensuring products meet UAE regulatory testing and compliance requirements.
• Cross-functional collaboration with Planning, Inventory, Compliance, Finance, Operations and Marketing.

Skills

Supplier management

Vendor management

Excel

Retail systems

Stakeholder management

Analytics

English language

Job description

Responsibilities

Managing the development and execution of retail product ranges within assigned categories Building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers vendors and licensing partners Identifying new product opportunities market trends and sourcing solutions to enhance category performance Collaborating closely with Merchandise Planning teams on buy plans forecasting inventory management and intake schedules Monitoring sales stock performance and margin targets to drive commercial results Supporting pricing product setup visual merchandising standards and purchase order processes Ensuring products meet UAE regulatory testing and compliance requirements Working cross-functionally with Planning Inventory Compliance Finance Operations and Marketing teams Supporting events seasonal activations annual pass initiatives and other commercial opportunities Contributing to category growth strategies and long-term business objectives

Essential Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in retail buying and product development.
• Proven experience managing products through the full lifecycle, from concept to market.
• Strong supplier and vendor management experience.
• Experience analyzing sales and inventory data to make commercial decisions.
• Knowledge of budgeting, gross profit management, and open-to-buy planning.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and retail systems.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within theme parks, attractions, entertainment, destination retail, or leisure industries.
• Experience working with licensed brands, intellectual property (IP), and character merchandise.
• Experience working with regional or international brands across the GCC.

Skills & Attributes

• Commercially minded and results-driven.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proactive and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Collaborative team player with strong relationship-building capabilities.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are an advantage.