Category Manager

Apparel FZCO; Dubai; On-site; AED 391,000 - 614,000; Full time

Job summary

Apparel FZCO in Dubai seeks an experienced professional to lead category management, buying and merchandising. You will drive strategy, vendor relations and inventory control to maximize category performance.

Responsibilities include developing assortments, optimizing stock, and coordinating with marketing, operations and finance to execute data-driven decisions in a dynamic retail environment.

Qualifications

• 6-8 years in category management, buying or merchandising in retail.
• Strong assortment planning and vendor management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Negotiate with vendors and manage supplier relationships to ensure quality and availability.
• Oversee merchandising, stock rotation, visual merchandising, and inventory control.
• Analyze sales performance and optimize pricing, promotions, and assortment.
• Lead and develop the merchandising team and coordinate with marketing, operations and finance.

Skills

Category management

Buying & vendor management

Merchandising

Inventory control

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Retail or related field

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