Country Manager - UAE

confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent FMCG corporation is seeking a Country Manager to lead operations in the UAE. The role encompasses strategy execution, P&L ownership, and coordination with headquarters in KSA. Ideally, candidates will possess 10–15 years of FMCG experience and have a strong understanding of the UAE market. Responsibilities include distributor management, marketing localization, and compliance with local food regulations. This position offers a critical leadership role with significant impact on market presence.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years in FMCG (food category mandatory), with strong UAE market experience.
• Proven experience in managing UAE P&L, distributor networks, and key account relationships.
• Strong understanding of the UAE regulatory environment for food products.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the UAE business strategy in alignment with HQ regional objectives.
• Fully own the UAE P&L, ensuring revenue growth and cost control.
• Coordinate with KSA HQ on strategy and operational priorities.
• Lead, manage, and motivate UAE distributors and retail partners.
• Localize HQ brand strategies for the UAE consumer landscape.

Skills

Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking

Excellent communication and cross-border coordination skills

Deep understanding of UAE food industry trends and regulations

Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills

P&L management capability and financial literacy

Leadership and team development

Category management and trade marketing expertise

Resilience, agility, and problem-solving ability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or related field

MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification

Job description

The Country Manager is responsible for leading and managing all commercial, operational, and strategic activities within the United Arab Emirates. Based in the UAE and reporting to the company’s headquarters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the role ensures strong market development, sales performance, brand leadership, and operational excellence. The position also serves as the key bridge between the UAE market and the KSA HQ, ensuring alignment with regional strategies, reporting requirements, and cross‑market coordination.

Key Responsibilities

1. UAE Market Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute the UAE business strategy in alignment with HQ regional objectives set in KSA.
• Analyze UAE market trends, consumer behaviors, category growth drivers, and competitive movements to identify opportunities in the food sector.
• Lead annual business plans, budgeting, and sales forecasting for the UAE.

2. P&L Ownership & Commercial Management

• Fully own the UAE P&L, ensuring revenue growth, margin improvement, and cost control.
• Drive achievement of sales targets, distribution goals, and category performance metrics across modern trade, general trade, HoReCa, and e‑commerce channels.
• Implement effective pricing, trade investment, and promotion strategies tailored to UAE market dynamics.

3. Coordination with KSA Headquarters

• Ensure regular alignment with the KSA HQ on strategy, reporting, performance updates, and operational priorities.
• Support the HQ team with market insights, competitive intelligence, and business cases for innovation, portfolio decisions, and regional initiatives.
• Participate in cross‑market planning, ensuring UAE execution is consistent with regional standards while allowing local adaptation.
• Coordinate with KSA‑based supply chain, finance, and marketing functions to ensure seamless support for the UAE market.

4. Distributor & Retail Partner Management

• Lead, manage, and motivate UAE distributors to maximize coverage, availability, and in‑market execution.
• Build strong relationships with key accounts, modern trade retailers, wholesalers, foodservice partners, and e‑commerce operators.
• Ensure optimal route‑to‑market design and distributor performance evaluations in collaboration with HQ.

5. Marketing, Category Growth & Brand Execution

• Localize HQ‑driven brand and marketing strategies to fit the UAE consumer landscape.
• Drive category growth through compelling trade marketing programs, in‑store visibility, and targeted activations.
• Support innovation launches and portfolio localization for the UAE market with inputs to KSA marketing teams.
• Utilize data and consumer insights to shape category strategies and demand‑generation plans.

6. Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Coordinate with supply chain and logistics teams in KSA to ensure timely deliveries, inventory health, and product freshness, especially for short‑shelf‑life food items.
• Ensure compliance with all UAE regulatory bodies (Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi Agriculture & Food Safety Authority, ESMA, etc.).
• Monitor operational KPIs including forecast accuracy, OSA, replenishment, and stock turn.

7. People Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop a UAE commercial team with a culture of accountability, performance, and collaboration.
• Mentor sales, trade marketing, and support staff while aligning talent development plans with HQ standards.
• Promote cross‑functional and cross‑border collaboration with KSA teams.

8. Corporate Representation & External Engagement

• Represent the company with UAE authorities, food regulators, retail groups, and industry associations.
• Position the brand as a trusted market leader in the UAE food FMCG sector.
• Act as the lead spokesperson for the company in the UAE market.

Skills

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or related field.
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is an advantage.

Experience

• 10–15+ years in FMCG (food category mandatory), with strong UAE market experience.
• Prior exposure to working with or reporting to regional hubs or headquarters outside the country.
• Proven experience in managing UAE P&L, distributor networks, and key account relationships.
• Strong understanding of the UAE regulatory environment for food products.
• Experience collaborating with KSA teams or knowledge of the KSA food market is an added advantage.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking
• Excellent communication and cross‑border coordination skills
• Deep understanding of UAE food industry trends and regulations
• Strong negotiation and relationship‑building skills
• P&L management capability and financial literacy
• Leadership and team development
• Category management and trade marketing expertise
• Resilience, agility, and problem‑solving ability