Senior Category Strategy Leader: Growth & Merchandising

Apparel Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 312,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

Apparel Group in Dubai is seeking a Senior Manager - Category Strategy to lead end-to-end category performance across buying, merchandising, pricing, and inventory. You will manage Category Managers, Merchandisers, and Analysts while coordinating with Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to maximize revenue and margins.

The role requires 12-15 years in category management with at least 5 years in a managerial capacity.

Qualifications

• 12-15 years in category management, buying, or merchandising.
• At least 5 years in a managerial role leading teams.
• Proven experience managing category P&L, assortment, pricing, and vendor relations.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term category strategies aligned with commercial objectives.
• Lead annual business planning for revenue, gross margin, assortment, and inventory.
• Identify whitespace and new product opportunities.
• Translate market insights into practical category initiatives.
• Oversee end-to-end category buying lifecycle from range planning to seasonal execution.
• Negotiate with vendors on pricing, terms, and exclusivity.
• Build strong relationships with regional and international suppliers.
• Ensure sourcing meets quality, ethical, and operational standards.
• Lead category merchandising for physical stores and online channels.
• Develop demand forecasts and manage open-to-buy planning.
• Present category performance and risks to senior leadership.

Skills

Category management

Category strategy

Retail buying

Merchandise planning

Assortment planning

Range architecture

Category P&L

Revenue management

Gross margin management

Pricing strategy

Promotional planning

Vendor management

Supplier negotiations

Open-to-buy planning

Demand forecasting

Inventory planning

Inventory optimization

Stock replenishment

GMROI

Category dashboards

Executive reporting

Team leadership

Cross-functional management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Retail Management

MBA (advantageous)

Job description

Apparel Group in Dubai is seeking a Senior Manager - Category Strategy to lead end-to-end category performance across buying, merchandising, pricing, and inventory. You will manage Category Managers, Merchandisers, and Analysts while coordinating with Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to maximize revenue and margins.

The role requires 12-15 years in category management with at least 5 years in a managerial capacity.