We seek a proficient and strategic Ecommerce Category Manager to join one of our clients based in Dubai. The candidate must be from the Ecommerce industry.

Job Description:

As a category manager, the candidate will oversee and optimize the performance of a specific product category within the company. This includes negotiating with suppliers, leveraging their expertise to secure advantageous terms and maintaining strong supplier relationships. He will also work closely with cross-functional teams to establish optimal pricing structures and ensure competitiveness.

The individual will work with talented professionals, shape our product assortment and contribute to our company's success in the competitive GCC market. If candidates have a solid knowledge of market analysis and consumer behavior with an innovative mindset, this could be the ideal career.

Objectives of this role:

·         Developing and executing strategic plans for the assigned product category to drive sales and profitability.

·         Drive and influence Digital Marketing to support category directives and strategies.

·         Surveys other web sites, comparing product assets and merchandising functionality to the site

·         Analyzing market trends, consumer behavior and competitor activities to identify growth opportunities and market gaps.

·         Customize category offerings to meet customer demands

·         Collaborating with various teams, like marketing, sales and product development, to identify and implement new products, services and marketing initiatives.

·         Managing product assortment, pricing, promotions and inventory to optimize category performance.

·         Evaluating customer feedback and implementing changes to enhance overall customer experience and drive customer loyalty.

·         Developing solid relationships with key vendors and suppliers to improve category offerings and negotiate favorable terms.

Core tasks:

·         Conduct thorough market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive landscape and customer preferences and provide actionable plans.

·         Develop and execute comprehensive category management strategies to achieve business objectives and drive growth.

·         Maintain robust category management tools and processes, ensuring seamless strategy execution across the organization.

·         Monitor and evaluate category performance, leveraging key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective measures.

·         Lead supplier negotiations, ensuring favorable terms and conditions to drive cost savings and strengthen supplier relationships.

·         Collaborate with marketing teams to develop effective product messaging, positioning and communication strategies.

·         Execute pricing strategies and promotional plans to optimize profitability while considering market dynamics and customer value perception.

·         Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor activities and technological advancements to provide recommendations to senior management. 

Required skills and qualifications: 

·         A bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or a related field. Master’s degree will be an advantage.

·         Minimum 5 years of experience as an Ecommerce category manager in UAE or GCC is a must.

·         Strong understanding of the GCC market, consumer behavior and retail trends.

·         Proficiency in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite, category management tools and software for data analysis and reporting.

·         Flexibility to adapt to the changing market dynamics, consumer preferences and organizational priorities.

·         Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.

·         Excellent communication and negotiation skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

·         Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and quality.

·         Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Preferred skills and qualifications:

·         Experience in category management within the GGC retail market.

·         Familiarity with retail merchandising systems and software.

·         Knowledge of inventory management and demand forecasting techniques.

·         Understanding pricing strategies, data analysis and profitability optimization.

·         Experience in vendor management and negotiations.

·         Ability to conduct market research and consumer surveys.

·         Proficiency in data analysis and using analytics tools.