Category Manager

R&B Fashion; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

R&B Fashion is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead category strategy, buying, and merchandising across the fashion assortment in our Dubai markets.

You will drive data-driven decisions, manage supplier relationships, optimize stock levels and collaborate with marketing, logistics, and finance to maximize profitability and growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6–8 years of experience in category management, buying or merchandising in retail.
• Strong skills in assortment planning, vendor management, and inventory control.
• Proven ability to analyze data and drive category performance.
• Experience leading cross-functional collaboration across supply chain, marketing and operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Analyze market trends, customer behavior and competitive insights to support data-driven decisions.
• Identify growth opportunities through new product introductions and optimization of assortments.
• Collaborate with suppliers to optimize costs, terms and product availability while ensuring quality and ethical sourcing.
• Oversee merchandising and inventory management including stock rotation and replenishment strategies.
• Coordinate with marketing, operations and finance to drive category success.
• Lead and train the merchandising team to align with category goals and drive performance.

Skills

Category management

Assortment planning

Vendor management

Inventory control

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or related field

Job description

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with overall business objectives.
• Analyze market trends, customer behavior, and competitive insights to support data-driven decision-making.
• Identify growth opportunities through new product introductions and optimization of existing assortments.

2. Buying & Vendor Management:

• In cases requiring deeper involvement, participate in vendor negotiations and factory interactions.
• Work closely with suppliers to optimize costs, terms, and product availability.
• Ensure supplier relationships align with quality, compliance, and ethical sourcing standards.

3. Merchandising & Inventory Management:

• Oversee the merchandising team to ensure effective product placement, visual merchandising, and stock rotation.
• Manage stock levels, demand planning, and replenishment strategies to reduce stock-outs and overstocking.
• Coordinate with supply chain and logistics teams for timely product availability.

4. Sales & Performance Analysis:

• Track category performance using key metrics such as sales, margins, stock turns, and profitability.
• Generate reports and insights to optimize category performance.
• Adjust pricing, promotions, and assortment strategies based on sales performance and market feedback.

5. Team Leadership & Coordination:

• Lead a team of merchandisers, ensuring alignment with category goals.
• Provide training and development to enhance team capabilities in merchandising and buying functions.
• Work cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and finance to drive category success.

Desired Experience

• 6-8 years of experience in category management, buying, or merchandising within the retail industry.
• Strong skills in assortment planning, vendor management, and inventory control.
• Proven ability to analyze data and drive category performance.
• Experience in leading cross-functional collaboration across supply chain, marketing, and operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or a related field