Category Manager- Apparel & Accessories

The Category manager is responsible for delivering engaging, compelling and world class retail product ranges across our leisure portfolio.

Job Scope:

• Reporting into a Senior Category Manager, the Category Manager is accountable for the end-to-end development and execution of an assigned product category.
• Support the Senior Category Manager in the day-to-day running of the department.
• Work to agreed budgets including open-to-buy cost of goods, freight, and GP margins across each of the business units and deliver these against expectations.
• Place orders based on the buying plan and critical path, ensuring merchandise is delivered as per the intake plan. This will require liasing with various internal stakeholders to ensure POs are released in a timely manner.
• Review and analyze stock / sales reports to understand the best/slow sellers within your category, whilst ensuring a process is in place to manage terminal lines and aged inventory, should suggest promotions and liquidation strategies for assigned categories.
• Continuously assess the quality and popularity of existing products and make recommendations for changes or improvements as necessary.
• Maintain the product hierarchy to ensure effective reporting and categorization of products.
• Collaborate with other shared service functions to evaluate supplier options, prices, and quality.
• Maintain trust relationships with suppliers to promote fair dealing. To understand the supplier relationship in the organization and the correct manner of addressing our suppliers. To assist suppliers with day-to-day queries including samples, timely delivery of goods, stock ready dates and expected delivery dates into the business.
• Ensure products comply with UAE regulations through a robust test, audit, and compliance process.
• Collaborate with relevant intellectual property (IP) holders and partners to align product offerings.
• Ownership of the IP design, sample, production approval process via the online submission portals.
• Ensure effective communication, collation and follow-up with internal and external stakeholders where required.
• Perform other reasonable duties as requested by senior management.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Retail Management or Fashion design, Buying & Merchandising

Years of experience: 

• Minimum 5 years in Sourcing, buying & product development process- in the Apparel and Accessories category.

Skills:

• Possess a fundamental understanding of retail theories and standards, product design and packaging, product sourcing and delivery, contract negotiation, product inventory control, product display, and product pricing and sales.
• Proficiency in writing, speaking, and understanding the English language.
• Ability to monitor and identify problems proactively. Understanding of how best to utilize all resources available to solve problems quickly and effectively as they occur and with a strong sense of urgency.
• Stays current on new retail trends, technologies, and processes emerging in the industry and proactively works to develop new products and services that will improve profits through increased operational efficiency and/or improved guest satisfaction.
• Negotiation skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Multitasking skills – Ability to work in a fast paced, fun, and busy environment managing multiple deadlines.
• Knowledge of department budgeting, P&L, and open-to-buy development.
• Knowledge and understanding of computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, POS systems, retail inventory control and finance software.
• Adaptability, comfortable with change in a fast-paced environment.