Commercial Director - IP-driven / Branded Consumer Products

Michael Page International (UAE); Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency seeks a senior commercial leader in Dubai to drive revenue growth and manage exclusive partnerships. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in IP-driven consumer products and a robust understanding of GCC retail and e-commerce. Responsibilities include overseeing the sales team, developing go-to-market strategies, and collaborating with other departments. This role offers a competitive package and the opportunity to operate within a stable, family-owned business environment.

Benefits

Competitive package and benefits

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior commercial or general management role.
• Ability to negotiate commercial terms and secure exclusive partnerships.
• Strong understanding of retail and e-commerce landscapes in GCC.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own the commercial strategy for revenue growth.
• Manage and grow principal relationships with partners.
• Drive business development and negotiate new partnerships.

Skills

Business development

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Sales leadership

Market understanding

Job description

About Our Client

The client is a highly established, family owned regional group with a long standing presence in the GCC and a proven track record of building market leading consumer and distribution businesses across multiple categories. They operate with a long-term ownership mindset, strong governance and deep local market knowledge, offering senior leaders genuine autonomy, stability and the backing of a well capitalised platform. The business is known for exclusive brand partnerships, disciplined execution and regional scale, making it an attractive environment for commercially driven leaders looking to run and grow a substantial operation rather than manage short-term targets.

Job Description

• Lead and own the commercial strategy with full accountability for revenue growth, profitability and market expansion.
• Drive business development by identifying, securing and negotiating new exclusive brand and IP partnerships, strengthening the portfolio and unlocking new growth avenues.
• Manage and grow principal relationships, acting as the senior commercial interface to negotiate commercial terms, exclusivity, forecasting commitments and long-term partnership agreements.
• Develop and execute go-to-market strategies across department stores, specialty retail, key accounts and e-commerce/marketplaces, ensuring strong ranging, visibility and sell-through.
• Lead and operate the sales organisation, setting targets, managing performance, building capability and ensuring consistent execution across all GCC markets.
• Create and oversee buying and inventory strategies, aligning demand planning, seasonal forecasting and stock risk management to commercial objectives.
• Drive trade marketing and activation plans, working with partners to deliver launches, promotions and in-store initiatives that maximise brand performance and revenue.
• Identify and develop new channels and routes to market, including digital, marketplace and emerging retail formats, to diversify revenue streams.
• Collaborate closely with supply chain, finance and operations, ensuring commercial plans are operationally executable and financially disciplined.
• Represent the business at a senior level with key stakeholders, partners and regional retailers, strengthening market presence and commercial credibility.

The Successful Applicant

• Proven experience in a senior commercial or general management role within IP-driven, licensed or branded consumer products, ideally operating in a distribution led or wholesale environment.
• Demonstrated track record of business development, including securing exclusive brand or principal partnerships, negotiating commercial terms and building long-term relationships with licensors, brand owners and vendors.
• Strong understanding of GCC retail and e-commerce landscapes, with hands-on experience selling into department stores, specialty retail and online marketplaces.
• Commercially astute with experience managing a P&L in a seasonal, high-SKU, inventory-led category, including forecasting, buying and stock risk management.
• Credible leader of sales and commercial teams, able to set direction, drive performance and build high-performing organisations across multiple markets.
• Confident stakeholder manager, comfortable operating at board and principal level and representing the business with senior regional partners.
• Strategic yet hands-on, with the ability to move seamlessly between BD, commercial strategy and execution.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, high ownership mentality and the maturity to operate within a family-owned, long-term focused organisation.

What\'s on Offer

Competitive package and benefits.