Category Manager – FMCG (Food)
Company Overview:
Al Aswaq Al Watania is a premier retail destination and one of the UAE’s leading hypermarket chains. We are dedicated to providing high-quality products and an exceptional shopping experience to the residents of Ras Al Khaimah and beyond. Our organization thrives on operational efficiency, market-leading procurement strategies, and a deep understanding of the local FMCG landscape. We offer a professional, high-energy environment where retail experts can lead significant category growth. Join a stable and expanding group that values technical expertise, strategic negotiation, and professional integrity in the heart of the Northern Emirates.
Job Description:
We are seeking an experienced and analytically-minded Category Manager specializing in FMCG (Food) to join our team in Ras Al Khaimah. In this pivotal role, you will take full ownership of the food category, from strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations to shelf performance and profitability analysis. You will be responsible for identifying market trends and ensuring our product mix meets the evolving needs of our customers. The ideal candidate is a retail veteran with a proven track record in the UAE market, capable of driving category revenue while maintaining lean inventory levels and strong supplier partnerships.
🔹 Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute comprehensive category strategies for the food division to maximize sales and gross margin.
- Lead high-level negotiations with local and international suppliers to secure competitive pricing and favorable terms.
- Analyze sales data, market trends, and consumer behavior to optimize product assortment and pricing.
- Oversee inventory management, ensuring optimal stock levels and minimizing wastage/expiry across the food category.
- Monitor competitor pricing and promotions to ensure our hypermarket maintains a competitive edge in the market.
- Collaborate with the Management team to plan and implement effective seasonal promotions and marketing themes.
- Liaise with the Human Resources department regarding category-specific staff product training and performance KPIs.
- Coordinate with Engineering for specialized food storage requirements and cold chain equipment maintenance.
- Work closely with the Marketing team to enhance in-store visual merchandising and shelf-placement strategies.
🔹 Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of solid FMCG experience, specifically within Hypermarket or Supermarket settings.
- Proven UAE market experience is mandatory for this role.
- Strong technical knowledge of category management principles and retail operational workflows.
- Advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex retail data and sales reports.
- Exceptional negotiation, leadership, and professional relationship-building capabilities.
- Proficiency in retail ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent communication skills in English; Arabic language proficiency is a distinct advantage.
What We Offer:
- Monthly salary package ranging from AED 5,000 to 6,000.
- Opportunities for significant career advancement within a leading hypermarket chain.
- A professional, stable, and highly supportive work environment.
- Direct exposure to large-scale FMCG procurement and strategic retail management.