Category Manager

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

Job summary

Athlocity, a leading player in the sports retail sector, is looking for a strategic Category Manager to oversee product categories. This key role involves managing the full lifecycle of products, driving sales and profitability through data-driven decisions, and leading a team in a dynamic environment requiring extensive retail experience.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in buying and merchandising.
• 5+ years as a Senior Buyer.
• Proven track record in supplier negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full category lifecycle and lead seasonal buying.
• Optimize product assortments and inventory levels.
• Utilize SAP and Power BI for data analysis and reporting.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Team leadership

Organizational skills

SAP ERP expertise

Power BI proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business

Postgraduate qualifications in SAP and Power BI

Job description

We are seeking a strategic and data-driven Category Manager to lead the end-to-end management of product categories within the Athlocity Sports Common division. The candidate will drive business growth by leading seasonal buying, optimizing product assortments, overseeing inventory, and ensuring strategic alignment with customer demand and company objectives. This role involves close collaboration with buying, planning, and merchandising teams, as well as using analytical tools like SAP and Power BI to guide performance decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Category Planning and Lifecycle Management

• Develop and manage the full category lifecycle strategy, from product selection to end-of-life decisions.
• Lead seasonal buying activities (two-season cycle), ensuring alignment with brand and market trends.
• Drive category growth and profitability through data-informed decisions and performance tracking.
• Define and implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness and profitability.

Product and Inventory Optimization

• Collaborate with planners and merchandisers to create robust, customer-centric product assortments.
• Monitor inventory levels to balance availability with cost-efficiency, minimizing overstocks and markdowns.
• Align product flow with demand forecasts and sales targets, leveraging SAP ERP tools.
• Coordinate with logistics teams to resolve supply chain issues and ensure seamless product availability.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Utilize tools like SAP and Power BI to track KPIs, sales performance, and market behavior.
• Prepare and present detailed reports on category performance, insights, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Identify underperforming SKUs or suppliers and implement corrective strategies.

Supplier and Stakeholder Management

• Negotiate supplier contracts to secure favorable pricing, terms, and delivery timelines.
• Monitor supplier performance to ensure quality standards and adherence to SLAs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, store operations, and finance teams to deliver cohesive category strategies.

Team Leadership and Performance Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of merchandisers, assortment planners, and allocators.
• Set clear objectives, KPIs, and development plans aligned with overall business goals.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, results orientation, and data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications and Skills

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field.
• Postgraduate qualifications and certifications in SAP and Power BI are advantageous.

Experience:

• 10+ years in buying and merchandising.
• 5+ years as a Senior Buyer, with at least 3 years in a Category Manager role.
• 3+ years in retail fashion / retail apparel / retail sports industry.
• Proven track record in supplier negotiations and strategic planning.
• Must have GCC retail experience.

Skills:

• Expertise in SAP ERP, Power BI, and advanced Excel.
• Strong analytical skills for trend forecasting, sales analysis, and inventory planning.
• Excellent negotiation, organizational, and team leadership abilities.
• Capable of cross-functional collaboration in a high-paced retail environment.

Other Requirements:

• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for presentations.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to turn insights into actionable results.