Category Manager

Apparel Group; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Apparel Group in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead category strategy and planning across apparel divisions. You will work closely with merchandising, buying, marketing, operations and finance to optimize assortment and drive profitability.

The role requires 6-8 years in category management or merchandising within retail, with strong vendor negotiations and data-driven decision making. Collaborative leadership and deep market insight are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in assortment planning and vendor management.
• Proven ability to analyze data and drive category performance.
• Experience leading cross-functional collaboration across supply chain, marketing, and operations.

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.
• Lead the merchandising team to ensure effective product placement, visual merchandising, and stock rotation.
• Manage stock levels, demand planning, and replenishment to reduce stock-outs and overstocking.
• Coordinate with supply chain and finance to drive category success.

Skills

Assortment planning

Vendor management

Inventory control

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/ Retail or related field

Job description

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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