Category Manager – Apparel

A leading retail organization is seeking an experienced Category Manager – Apparel to oversee merchandise planning, category strategy, product assortment, and commercial performance in a dynamic retail environment. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving category growth through data-driven decision-making and effective merchandise management.

This position requires extensive experience in apparel merchandising, category planning, and retail operations. The ideal candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize product performance, improve inventory management, and deliver successful product launches across a large retail network.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop category plans, merchandise strategies, and product assortments based on sales performance, consumer insights, and market trends.

• Prepare seasonal and annual merchandise plans, including buying strategies and product launch schedules.

• Analyze UAE consumer preferences, shopping behavior, and market trends to identify growth opportunities.

• Conduct competitor analysis and recommend opportunities for new product development.

• Prepare annual, quarterly, and monthly merchandise and new product budgets.

• Lead product selection and assortment planning using historical sales data and category performance.

• Manage product launch calendars and coordinate with logistics and operations for timely product availability.

• Develop merchandising and product marketing strategies to maximize sales and product visibility.

• Monitor product costs, inventory levels, stock turnover, and sell-through rates to optimize purchasing decisions.

• Manage the complete product lifecycle from assortment planning through performance evaluation and product exit.

• Conduct category, SKU, seasonal, and store-level performance analysis and recommend corrective actions.

• Collaborate closely with buying, supply chain, logistics, store operations, and other cross-functional teams.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or above.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in apparel merchandising or category management within retail chains.

• Strong experience in apparel merchandising, assortment planning, and product selection.

• Experience managing merchandise for a large retail network, preferably around 100 stores or a similar scale.

• Strong understanding of retail operations, supply chain, logistics, and store operations.

• Excellent analytical and commercial skills with the ability to interpret sales and inventory data.

• Proficiency in ERP systems, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

• Strong communication, coordination, planning, execution, and negotiation skills.

• Experience managing the complete product and category lifecycle is preferred.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with flexibility to travel when required.

• Strong knowledge of:

    • Category management and merchandise planning

    • Retail analytics, inventory management, and ERP systems

    • Supply chain, logistics, and apparel retail operations