Category Manager - FMCG

Company Description

Al Aswaq Al Watania, established in 1987 in Al Dhait, Ras Al Khaimah, is the largest and most trusted retail chain in the emirate. As the hypermarket, supermarket, and e-commerce arm of Gulf Group Holding LLC, it provides quality and affordable products to a loyal customer base. Al Aswaq operates multiple branches across Ras Al Khaimah and is recognized for its commitment to community trust and value-driven service. The company is currently working on an expansion strategy to extend its presence to other emirates within the UAE.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, for a Category Manager – FMCG. The role involves managing and developing assigned product categories, creating effective pricing strategies, analyzing market trends, and monitoring sales performance to drive continuous growth.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Category Sourcing

• Analyse industry trends and evolving technology to proactively identify supply base opportunities to reduce cost, minimize risk, protect continuity of supply, and exploit industry developments that benefit Al Aswaq Al Watania Hypermarkets.
• Collects information and analyses for sourcing reliable supplier, negotiates for the lower cost for Al Aswaq Al Watania Hypermarkets, collates product details from potential suppliers (e.g. Description, pack size, barcode, cost prices, recommended retail selling prices etc.) and calculates to fix most profitable retail selling price, whilst generating the highest gross margin from the product sale.
• Evaluates capabilities and resources of new supplier, collect relevant information e.g. trade license, agency letters etc.
• Monitor supplier performance based on meeting their obligations and self-product availability discusses to improve and maximise the service level from suppliers. Maintains relations and renegotiates, regularly, to embitter terms and reach the lowest, possible, cost price for products.
  

Category Management

• Understand the selection requirement, price expectation, and create the relevant portfolio of products in the category.
• Reviews, on monthly basis the sales and profitability of each category and item, classifies as good or poor sales and decide for the required change in category items, quality, price, source, or number of SKUs which can be displayed within the space allocated to the category.
• Executing Revenue Growth Management plans and continuously monitoring promotions and pricing.
  

Strategy and Planning

• Define clear metrics for the category/sub-category success and build sustainable programs to structurally drive the same across the organization.
• Lead and oversee revenue planning for the assigned categories by developing monthly and quarterly forecasts, while defining and implementing key commercial fundamentals such as category hierarchy, assortment strategy, product mix, and overall range management.
• Collaborates with the Head of Commercial to develop business cases for introducing new products and services. This includes conducting market research, understanding customer preferences and demand, assessing expected sales, identifying target customer groups, evaluating sourcing channels, and analyzing key financial metrics such as gross margin, ROI, and overall profitability.
  

Promotion Planning and Execution

• Develops the annual promotional calendar in alignment with overall business direction and departmental guidelines, and presents it to senior management for review and approval.
• Develops promotional plans and campaigns to drive sales and revenue growth for the assigned category. This includes evaluating financial costs, projecting sales uplift, assessing benefits such as reducing unsold or slow-moving inventory, managing purchasing and supplier negotiations, and coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure effective rollout of all promotional activities.
  

Stock Management

• Manages inventory availability and overall inventory health by improving in-stock levels, leading effective inventory planning, enhancing vendor operational efficiency (including fill rates and lead times), strengthening forecasting accuracy, and driving initiatives to reduce shrink.
  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, sales, business administration or any other relevant discipline.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced functions, analytics, reporting), Power BI (dashboards and data visualization), and SAP for category management, inventory planning, and commercial decision-making..
  

SKILLS REQUIRED

• 8 years of relevant experience in marketing and sales, including at least 4 years in the Retail industry.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Experienced in FMCG Categories
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• High level of analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.