Category Assistant / Specialist

📣 We're Hiring: Category Assistant / Specialist📍 Location: United Arab Emirates (UAE) 🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time 💼 Level: Assistant / Specialist🌐 About UsWe are seeking an organized, analytical, and commercially aware Category Assistant / Specialist to support the day-to-day management and performance of assigned product categories.The role supports Category Management, Assortment Planning, Merchandising, Procurement, Suppliers, Inventory Planning, Demand Planning, Retail Operations, Sales, Marketing, E-commerce, Finance, and Supply Chain.The successful candidate will help maintain accurate category information, analyze product performance, support assortment and promotional activities, monitor inventory and availability, coordinate with suppliers, and prepare reports that enable effective commercial decisions.🎯 The RoleThe Category Assistant / Specialist provides analytical, administrative, and operational support across assigned categories.At Assistant level, responsibilities focus on category administration, data management, reporting, product information, supplier coordination, and day-to-day planning support.At Specialist level, responsibilities expand into category analysis, SKU performance, assortment recommendations, pricing, promotional analysis, supplier performance, range reviews, and category improvement initiatives.🚀 What You'll DoCategory AdministrationMaintain accurate category recordsUpdate:SKU informationProduct hierarchiesCategory and subcategory classificationsBrandsSuppliersPricesCostsProduct attributesLifecycle statusEnsure category databases remain currentCategory SupportAssist Category Managers and Specialists with daily category activitiesPrepare information for:Category reviewsBusiness reviewsRange reviewsSupplier meetingsCommercial planningTrack category actions and deadlines📊 Category Performance AnalysisMonitor:SalesUnitsGross marginMargin percentageSales growthSKU productivitySell-throughInventory turnsStock coverAvailabilityStockoutsProduct PerformanceIdentify:Top-performing productsUnderperforming productsFast-moving SKUsSlow-moving SKUsDeclining productsPrepare product-performance summariesCategory TrendsMonitor weekly and monthly trendsCompare:Actual vs. targetCurrent vs. prior periodCurrent vs. prior yearHighlight significant variances🛒 Assortment SupportRange MaintenanceMaintain approved category assortmentsTrack:Active SKUsNew SKUsDelisted SKUsSeasonal SKUsPromotional SKUsSKU RationalizationSupport identification of low-performing or duplicate SKUsAnalyze sales, margin, inventory, and availabilityPrepare data for delisting recommendationsAssortment GapsIdentify potential:Product gapsBrand gapsPrice-point gapsCustomer-demand gapsEscalate recommendations to Category ManagementStore AssortmentsSupport store-level and store-cluster assortment updatesCoordinate assortment changes with relevant teams📦 Inventory & AvailabilityStock MonitoringMonitor:Stock levelsStock coverInventory turnsStockoutsOverstockSlow-moving inventoryExcess inventoryAvailabilityTrack availability of key SKUsIdentify recurring stockoutsEscalate supply issuesCoordinate with Inventory Planning and Supply ChainExcess & Slow-Moving StockPrepare reports on excess inventorySupport corrective actions such as:PromotionsMarkdownAssortment reductionSupplier returnsProduct replacement📈 Demand & Forecast SupportConsolidate historical sales dataSupport demand analysisCompare forecasts with actual salesIdentify forecast variancesProvide relevant category information to Demand PlanningSeasonal DemandAnalyze historical seasonal patternsSupport preparation for:RamadanEidBack-to-schoolSummerHoliday periodsOther relevant UAE/GCC seasonal events🏷️ Pricing SupportPrice MonitoringMaintain current product pricingCheck price changesIdentify price discrepanciesCompare internal prices with approved pricing structuresCompetitive PricingWhere applicable:Collect competitor pricingMaintain price-comparison filesHighlight significant competitive price gapsMargin AnalysisSupport analysis of:CostSelling priceGross marginDiscount impactEscalate unusual margin movements🎯 PromotionsPromotional AdministrationMaintain promotional calendarsTrack:ProductPromotion typeStart dateEnd datePromotional priceSupplier supportStore/channel coveragePromotion ExecutionCoordinate with:MerchandisingStore OperationsMarketingSuppliersEnsure promotional information is communicated accuratelyPromotion AnalysisAt Specialist level:Analyze:Promotional salesUnitsMarginUpliftCannibalizationPost-promotion performance🤝 Supplier CoordinationSupplier CommunicationSupport communication with suppliers regarding:Product informationPricingAvailabilityPromotionsNew productsProduct documentationDelivery issuesSupplier PerformanceTrack:Fill rateOn-time deliveryAvailabilityProduct qualityPricing compliancePromotional executionSupplier MeetingsPrepare data for supplier-business reviewsMaintain meeting recordsTrack agreed actions🧭 Category Assistant / Specialist ScopeThe role may cover:Category administrationCategory supportCategory performance analysisProduct performanceCategory trend analysisAssortment supportRange maintenanceSKU rationalizationAssortment-gap analysisStore assortment supportInventory monitoringAvailability managementExcess-stock analysisDemand and forecast supportSeasonal demand analysisPricing supportCompetitive price monitoringMargin analysisPromotional administrationPromotional analysisSupplier coordinationSupplier performanceSupplier-business reviewsNew-product introductionProduct lifecycle managementBrand supportPrivate-label analysisStore and channel analysisE-commerce category supportOmnichannel supportMerchandising supportPlanogram supportProduct master dataReportingDashboardsExcel analyticsBusiness intelligenceStakeholder supportProcess improvementAutomation📊 Key Performance AreasPerformance may be measured against:Category sales growthCategory marginSKU productivityAssortment accuracyProduct availabilityStockout reductionInventory productivitySell-throughExcess-stock reductionPromotional performanceNew-product launch performanceSupplier fill rateSupplier delivery performancePricing accuracyProduct-master-data accuracyStore assortment accuracyReporting accuracyData qualityTimely completion of category activitiesProcess-improvement delivery🇦🇪 UAE EnvironmentThe successful candidate should be comfortable working within the UAE retail market, supporting diverse customer segments and multiple store formats and channels.Experience in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or other UAE markets is highly desirable.Experience in FMCG, grocery, fashion, beauty, electronics, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, luxury, specialty retail, consumer goods, e-commerce, or omnichannel retail is an advantage.Knowledge of UAE/GCC consumer trends, seasonal demand, promotional activity, supplier markets, and retail practices is beneficial.💼 Preferred Category ExperienceExperience in one or more of the following is advantageous:GroceryFMCGFood & BeveragePersonal CareBeautyHealthcarePharmaceuticalsConsumer HealthcareHouseholdElectronicsFashionLuxuryHome & LivingGeneral MerchandiseSpecialty RetailE-commerce✅ What We're Looking ForDiploma or bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Retail Management, Marketing, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Economics, Finance, Statistics, Data Analytics, or a related discipline1–5+ years of relevant experience in category management, merchandising, buying, assortment planning, merchandise planning, retail operations, inventory planning, or commercial analysisStrong analytical and organizational skillsGood Microsoft Excel capabilityStrong attention to detailCommercial awarenessGood understanding of retail operationsAbility to manage multiple prioritiesStrong communication skillsAbility to work cross-functionallyGood numerical skillsUAE/GCC retail experience is highly desirable🌟 Preferred QualificationsBachelor's degree in a relevant fieldRetail or category-management certificationAdvanced Excel certificationPower BI experienceSQL experienceExperience with ERP or retail-planning systemsAssortment-planning experienceMerchandise-planning experienceSupplier-management experiencePricing and promotion analysisNew-product launch experienceE-commerce experienceOmnichannel retail experienceExperience in a large or multinational retailerFluency in English is required; Arabic is an advantageAdditional languages commonly used in UAE retail are an advantage🌟 What We OfferFull-time position based in the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪Competitive salaryPerformance incentives where applicableCategory-management and retail trainingExposure to Category Management, Assortment Planning, Merchandising, Procurement, Suppliers, Inventory, and Retail OperationsProfessional development in retail analytics and commercial planningOpportunities to work with modern retail systems and analytical toolsCareer progression toward Senior Category Specialist, Category Management Specialist, Category Manager, Assortment Planning Specialist, Merchandise Planning Specialist, or Commercial SpecialistMulticultural working environmentComprehensive benefits package