Category Manager GCC - Adhesives

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement institution in the United Arab Emirates is looking for a Category Manager to drive category growth and optimize product portfolios. The ideal candidate will have a degree in marketing or a related field, along with 7+ years of experience in management roles. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential, as well as experience in GCC markets. This role offers an opportunity to make impactful decisions and lead product innovation.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in category, product, or brand management.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with a track record of driving category growth.
• Experience in GCC markets and multi-brand environments is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Strategically manage and optimize assigned product categories.
• Monitor category performance and drive decisions to achieve sales targets.
• Lead product innovation initiatives to expand the category.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor or master's degree in marketing or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Data analysis tools

Job description

About this Position

As Category Manager for the GCC region, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing category strategies across a diverse portfolio of brands and industry segments. You will be responsible for driving category growth, optimizing product portfolios, and defending margins through data‑driven decision‑making, innovation, and cross‑functional collaboration.

What you'll do

• Strategically manage and optimize assigned product categories in alignment with commercial and profitability goals.
• Monitor category performance across markets, leveraging data to drive decisions and achieve sales and margin targets.
• Develop and implement category plans, including pricing strategies, promotional activities, and communication measures.
• Conduct comprehensive market assessments through desk research and field visits to identify trends, opportunities, and threats.
• Analyze competitor activity and market dynamics to inform product strategy and positioning.
• Recommend and implement adjustments to the portfolio based on market insights.
• Lead product innovation initiatives to expand and future‑proof the category in line with customer and market needs.
• Collaborate with R&D, supply chain, and commercial teams to bring new products to market efficiently.
• Support portfolio simplification and optimization efforts to reduce complexity and enhance focus.
• Work closely with sales, trade marketing, digital, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless execution of category plans.
• Support pricing and margin management strategies to ensure category profitability.
• Provide commercial teams with tools, insights, and training to support value‑based selling.
• Monitor and report on category KPIs, identifying areas for improvement and growth.

What makes you a good fit

• Bachelor or master's degree in marketing, Business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in category, product, or brand management, ideally in B2B/B2C environments.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with a track record of driving category growth.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and data analysis tools.
• Experience in GCC markets and multi‑brand environments is highly desirable.

At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We look for a diverse team of individuals who possess different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and mindsets.