Category Manager

Description:

Our Shopee is seeking an experienced Category Manager – UAE Procurement & Buying to lead category growth, local procurement activities, and vendor partnerships across the UAE market. This role is ideal for a commercially driven professional with strong experience in consumer electronics, mobiles, home appliances, and/or health and beauty categories.

The successful candidate must have strong UAE local buying experience and an established network of brands, distributors, wholesalers, and suppliers. The role requires expertise in category strategy, commercial negotiations, supplier management, and driving revenue and profitability growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute category strategies to achieve sales, margin, and P&L objectives.

• Lead UAE local procurement, buying activities, and vendor sourcing initiatives.

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• Build and maintain strong relationships with brands, distributors, wholesalers, and suppliers.

• Negotiate pricing, margins, credit terms, promotions, rebates, and commercial agreements.

• Identify new brands, products, and vendors to expand category offerings.

• Manage assortment, pricing, inventory availability, and category profitability.

• Monitor vendor performance and establish long-term strategic partnerships.

• Analyse market trends, competitor pricing, and customer demand to identify growth opportunities.

• Develop promotional and commercial plans to achieve category revenue and margin targets.

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Catalogue, and Finance teams.

Requirements:

• 8–12+ years of UAE/GCC experience in Category Management, Buying, Procurement, or E-commerce/Retail.

• Strong experience in Consumer Electronics, Mobiles, Home Appliances, and/or Health & Beauty categories.

• Proven UAE local vendor and supplier network is mandatory.

• Strong negotiation and commercial buying skills.

• Ability to deliver revenue, margin, and P&L growth.

• Strong understanding of UAE market pricing, brands, distributors, and retail/e-commerce channels.

• Excellent analytical skills with strong Excel knowledge.

• Existing relationships with major UAE brands, distributors, and wholesalers will be an advantage.

Strong knowledge of:

• UAE procurement and local buying processes

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• Category management and vendor relationship management

• Retail/e-commerce pricing, inventory, and commercial strategies