Category Manager

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

Job summary

A leading innovative retail company in Dubai is looking for a Category Manager to drive sales, profitability, and innovation. The successful candidate will manage supplier relationships, negotiate contracts, and provide strategic leadership in product categories. Ideal candidates will have retail buying experience in FMCG and strong communication skills. This position offers a competitive salary package and opportunities for fast career growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Fast career growth opportunity

Full training provided

Private employee medical insurance

Annual bonus & incentive schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in retail buying within FMCG is essential.
• Effective leadership and motivation skills are required.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage and motivate suppliers to enhance product acquisition.
• Negotiate and define contracts with suppliers.
• Prepare internal and external presentations for decision-making.

Skills

Retail buying experience in FMCG

Strong attention to detail

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Strong communication skills

Strong problem-solving capabilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in purchasing, inventory, or supply chain management

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

As a Category Manager, you will ensure that we keep our promise to clients by helping them acquire innovative products at the best possible price. You’ll set the bar high in retailing. Our buying teams must move even quicker than the rest of the business. And they have to keep ahead of our customers, too: second‑guessing what they want and need before they do.

Reporting to a Head of Category, the successful candidate will help to drive sales, profitability, and innovation through effective leadership, analytical skills, and passion for the product.

If you’re a hardworking, flexible individual ready to kick‑start your career with a winning employer, apply to join #TeamVIVA today!

Your New Role:

• Meeting, managing, assessing, engaging, and motivating suppliers.
• Initiation of procurement activities within the given category and management of procurement projects.
• Negotiating and defining contracts with suppliers, including monitoring and controlling supplier performance.
• Strategic supplier management and clear goal definition to ensure success with the supplier.
• Planning and implementing corrective actions and escalating problems.
• Have a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the product range.
• Display ownership for the category and actively manage through driving innovation and change, promoting quality.
• Produce timely and accurate business forecasts, plans, and recommendations to meet targets and make further decisions based on key drivers.
• Prepare presentations for both internal and external use, considering market information, product performance, and commercial considerations.
• Identify, assess, and monitor additional information/data that could be used in decision‑making.

About You:

• The retail buying experience in FMCG is a must.
• Previous working experience at a discounter supermarket is advantageous.
• A self‑starter with the ability to prioritize duties among multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong attention to detail.
• High level of personal organization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to take complex information and deliver it in a simplified manner across many levels of a business.
• Delivery of concise and articulate, executive‑level written work.
• A good sense of urgency and adaptability under pressure.
• Intellectually curious and takes initiative.
• Strong commercial acumen.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced and cross‑functional environment.
• Influential and natural leader seeking responsibility. Effective leadership, motivation, and people management.
• Dynamic, diligent, consistent.
• Excellent visual design sense regarding clear and accurate presentation of data.
• Strong problem‑solving capabilities and focus on solutions.

What you will get in Return:

• Competitive salary package
• Fast career growth opportunity
• Full training provided
• Private employee medical insurance
• Annual bonus & incentive schemes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in purchasing, inventory, or supply chain management.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.