Category Manager | Retail | Watsons Kuwait

HealthCare Dynamics Gen. Trading Company W.L.L; Hawally; On-site; KWD 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading trading company in Kuwait is seeking a Buyer with expertise in Category Management. This role involves developing category strategies, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring optimal inventory levels while meeting sales and profitability goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical background and at least 5 years of retail experience, with a keen understanding of market trends.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a retail buyer.
• At least 2 years’ experience in Category Management.
• Knowledge of the Kuwait market.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category plans, manage vendor relationships.
• Monitor category performance and take immediate actions on performance gaps.
• Collaborate with marketing to enhance customer engagement.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Commercial awareness

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Time management skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 170006

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. The group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable continuous growth and expansion, responding to the changing needs of its customers within the societies in which it operates.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers every day.

Overview Of The Role

Responsible for supporting the Head of Commercial in developing Kuwait Product Offering to maximize sales and gross margin objectives, while managing inventory objectives for specific brands. Develops strategic objectives to ensure long-term sustained growth across the market.

What You Will Do

• Develop, implement, and deliver category plans including range reviews, promotions, pricing, and stock management aligned with overall commercial strategy and financial goals.
• Create category strategies and assortment plans based on market trends, customer needs, and trade partnerships to maximize sales and profits.
• Build strong relationships with current and new vendors, establishing solid fundamentals and securing support & investment from top vendors.
• Establish and maintain a margin & pricing policy with optimal promotion strategies to drive sales and margins.
• Monitor daily category performance at brand/item level and take immediate action on any performance gaps regarding sales, margin, and sell-through rate.
• Plan promotions according to the pre-set calendar, thematic campaigns, and coordinate with eCommerce and marketing teams for online and CRM offers.
• Manage in-store exposure for the Cosmetics category, especially during new store expansions.
• Conduct regular reviews on range, space productivity, and planograms, and address range gaps and stock management issues.
• Ensure healthy stock levels by monitoring out-of-stock, overstock, and sell-through issues, and take appropriate actions such as clearance or returns.
• Collaborate with marketing to develop relevant promotional strategies that adhere to legislation and brand guidelines, enhancing customer engagement and sales.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of promotions and share best practices with stakeholders.
• Work with exclusive brands to develop and deliver unique products/ranges that meet strategic goals.
• Coordinate with planning teams to ensure the right range is available in the right stores, managing slow-moving stock effectively.
• Identify and implement new product opportunities that are competitively priced and meet customer needs.
• Manage pricing strategies to ensure competitiveness and profitability within company guidelines.
• Develop internal and external relationships to support category objectives and enhance the brand proposition.
• Utilize and develop knowledge in category products, competitors, and market activity to improve performance.

Required Skills To Be Successful

Job-Specific Skills:

• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent commercial awareness and creativity
• Proven negotiation skills
• Decisiveness and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills
• Delegation skills, with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Excellent time management skills and resilience under pressure

Behavioral Competencies:

• Sound judgment in decision-making
• Integrity and respect in conduct
• Adaptability to changing business needs
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive management of unexpected events and issues
• Prioritization and planning skills for timely execution
• Teamwork and collaboration abilities
• Willingness to travel

What Equips You For The Role

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred

Minimum Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience as a buyer in retail
• At least 2 years’ experience in Category Management
• Knowledge of the Kuwait market

We are committed to providing an excellent candidate experience. Please read the job description carefully and prepare a personalized CV that highlights your suitability for this role. Our Talent Acquisition team considers skills, behaviors, and alignment with our values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence. We will review all applications and respond accordingly.