Category Specialist (Health & Beauty)

Floward

Job Purpose

The Category Specialist – Health & Beauty is responsible for driving Floward’s Health & Beauty portfolio within the assigned country. The role covers end-to-end category ownership, from assortment planning and supplier negotiations to pricing, promotions, and performance tracking.

At TL Level 3, the Specialist independently manages category P&L at an operational level, ensures the right balance of global and local product mix, and works closely with marketing and merchandising to present products that reflect Floward’s premium positioning. The role requires a strong grasp of consumer trends in beauty, skincare, fragrances, personal care, and wellness, with the ability to translate them into commercial strategies that deliver both profitability and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Market Focus

• Build and implement Health & Beauty category strategies that reflect consumer behavior and local market trends.
• Align country category execution with Floward’s regional vision while tailoring assortments to local preferences.
• Provide market intelligence on customer needs, competitor activities, and upcoming trends (skincare, fragrances, grooming, wellness).
  
  

Portfolio & Assortment Management

• Develop and manage the Health & Beauty assortment across sub-categories such as skincare, haircare, cosmetics, perfumes, grooming, and wellness.
• Ensure a premium yet accessible product mix that maximizes revenue and brand positioning.
• Partner with merchandising to ensure product content, descriptions, and imagery meet quality and brand standards.
  
  

Supplier & Brand Partnerships

• Negotiate with suppliers and global/local brands for pricing, payment terms, and exclusivity agreements.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliability, innovation, and timely product launches.
• Ensure suppliers meet Floward’s compliance, quality, and sustainability standards.
  
  

Commercial & Financial Management

• Own category P&L at operational level including sales, margin, and stock turnover.
• Define pricing and promotional strategies specific to Health & Beauty to maximize both profitability and customer engagement.
• Collaborate with supply chain to manage demand planning, stock replenishment, and returns.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with Marketing to design campaigns tailored to beauty trends, seasonal demand, and gifting occasions.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to ensure product availability, smooth inventory flow, and efficient logistics.
• Collaborate with Customer Experience to monitor feedback and resolve category-related issues.
  
  

Innovation & Trend Spotting

• Identify emerging beauty trends (e.g., clean beauty, wellness, male grooming, niche fragrances) and translate them into category opportunities.
• Propose and test new product launches, bundles, and seasonal collections.
• Share learnings with central and country teams to influence wider Health & Beauty strategy.
  
  

Team Contribution

• Provide guidance to junior officers on operational tasks.
• Act as a subject matter expert for Health & Beauty within the country team.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and best practice discussions across markets.
  
  

Skills And Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field. Master’s preferred.
• Experience:
• 5–7 years in category management, buying, or merchandising with direct exposure to Health & Beauty (cosmetics, fragrances, personal care, or wellness products).
• Proven record of supplier negotiations and managing category budgets.
• Experience working in premium retail, e-commerce, or FMCG with focus on beauty or wellness.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in Excel for category reporting and forecasting.
• Knowledge of ERP/category management systems.
• Strong analytical, commercial, and presentation skills.
  

About Floward

Founded in 2017, Floward is an online flowers and gifting company; we pride ourselves in creating a seamless experience for our customers and making sending flowers and gifts as enjoyable as receiving them. We source our flowers daily from the best growers and farmers around the world to create one of a kind stunning arrangements and plants that fit every occasion. We also partner with local and international brands to offer a wide range of gifts including chocolate, perfumes, cakes and more, coupled with our arrangements to create the perfect gift. Operating in 36 cities in nine countries across the MENA region and UK, we guarantee same-day delivery across the board through our own refrigerated fleet to ensure our arrangements arrive fresh to the customer.

Website

https://www.floward.co