Category Senior Manager

Miral Experiences; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Miral Experiences in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Senior Category Manager for its Retail Shared Services team. You will own assigned merchandise categories, lead end-to-end product development, manage supplier relationships, and drive innovative merchandise strategies.

The role requires 8–10 years in retail buying and product development, a bachelor's degree, and strong leadership skills to shape the future of merchandise across our attractions.

Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in retail buying and product development.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
• Proven experience managing multiple merchandise categories.
• Strong end‑to‑end product development and category management background.
• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturers, and vendor networks.
• Experience managing budgets, gross profit targets, and open‑to‑buy processes.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the development of assigned merchandise categories.
• Lead end-to-end product development, from concept through production and launch.
• Manage IP design submissions, sample approvals, and production through licensing portals.
• Build and maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors.
• Collaborate with Merchandise Planning for buy plans and intake schedules.
• Ensure products meet UAE regulatory, testing, and audit requirements.
• Maintain product hierarchy and category structures for reporting/analysis.
• Collaborate on item creation, pricing, visuals, and purchase orders.

Skills

Category management

Product development

Supplier management

Budgeting

Open-to-buy

Data analysis

Leadership

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Excel

Retail systems

Job description

Join us at Miral Experiences! Miral Experiences is a region’s leader in the management and operation of world‑class award‑winning immersive attractions and experiences across Abu Dhabi. Our diverse portfolio includes some of the most iconic entertainment and leisure destinations, including Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld, CLYMB, TeamLab, Phenomena, and cultural treasures like Qasr Al Watan.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Senior Category Manager to join our Retail Shared Services team. Reporting to the Retail Buying Director, you will play a key role in driving category performance, leading product development initiatives, managing supplier relationships, and delivering innovative merchandise strategies across our portfolio of attractions. This is an exciting opportunity for a retail professional with strong buying and product development expertise to help shape the future of merchandise across one of the region's leading entertainment groups.

Category Management & Product Development

• Own and drive the development of assigned merchandise categories.
• Lead end-to-end product development, from concept through production and launch.
• Manage IP design submissions, sample approvals, and production processes through online licensing portals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors.
• Work closely with Merchandise Planning teams to manage buy plans and intake schedules.
• Ensure all products meet UAE regulatory, testing, compliance, and audit requirements.
• Maintain product hierarchy and category structures to support accurate reporting and analysis.
• Collaborate with Retail Shared Services teams on item creation, pricing, visual merchandising standards, and purchase order management.

Commercial & Financial Performance

• Manage category budgets, including open-to-buy, cost of goods, freight costs, and gross profit targets.
• Analyze sales and inventory data to identify growth opportunities and optimize product performance.
• Partner with Merchandise Planning and Inventory teams to proactively manage slow-moving and end‑of‑line stock.
• Monitor category performance through regular reporting and commercial reviews.

Strategic Planning

• Identify market trends, customer preferences, and sourcing opportunities to drive innovation and competitiveness.
• Support annual business planning, events, activations, and annual pass initiatives.
• Identify growth opportunities within assigned categories and contribute to long‑term retail strategies.

Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external business partners.
• Collaborate with intellectual property (IP) licensors and brand partners to align merchandise offerings.
• Ensure effective communication and follow-up with all stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle.

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a collaborative and high‑performing culture.
• Promote cross‑functional collaboration and teamwork across departments and business units.

What We’re Looking For

• 8–10 years of experience in retail buying and product development.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
• Proven experience managing multiple merchandise categories.
• Strong background in end‑to‑end product development and category management.
• Experience working with suppliers, manufacturers, and vendor networks.
• Experience managing budgets, gross profit targets, and open‑to‑buy processes.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and analytical mindset.
• Strategic thinker with excellent decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities.
• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship‑building capabilities.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and retail systems.
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred

• Experience within theme parks, attractions, entertainment, or leisure industries.
• Experience working with licensed brands and intellectual property (IP).
• Experience across GCC retail markets.
• Additional language skills are an advantage.

Shape the Future With Us

At Miral Experiences, we don’t just create world‑class destinations – we create unforgettable memories for our guests and remarkable careers for our people. From theme parks and attractions to guest services and behind‑the‑scenes roles, every member of our team plays a part in delivering exceptional experiences. We’re driven by passion, powered by innovation, and committed to excellence in everything we do. We’re looking for passionate, driven, and talented individuals who are ready to grow, lead, and make a difference. No matter your background or expertise, there’s a place for you at Miral Experiences.

About Us

Miral Experiences