Category Manager

Job description / Role

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

General
Portfolio Management & Performance Analysis:
• Manage the category’s P&L, pricing, demand planning, and forecasting.
• Prepare and analyze monthly depletion reports, sales trends, and inventory levels to inform strategic decisions.
• Assess new product performance and generate support reports for decision-making.
• Conduct weekly market and competitor analyses to identify opportunities and risks.
• Maintain and refine the portfolio based on market trends and customer preferences.
• Monitor slow-moving and implement strategies for increased sales or delisting.

Product Sourcing & Supplier Relations:
• Identify, source, and assess new products aligned with international trends and customer demands.
• Request pricing information and negotiate supplier terms for favorable conditions.
• Maintain communication with suppliers to ensure product availability and accuracy of information.
• Evaluate the sustainability of new products for long-term portfolio inclusion.

Market & Customer Engagement:
• Develop and execute strategies for on-trade and off-trade activities to increase visibility.
• Collaborate on list development and facilitate education initiatives.
• Organize and lead events to promote offerings and foster customer loyalty.
• Engage directly with clients to address inquiries and enhance their experience.

Sales & Business Development Support:
• Collaborate with department heads to integrate the portfolio into their initiatives.
• Support sales teams with list/menu development and trade proposals.
• Lead retail merchandising efforts to maximize sales opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ACTIVITIES
• Provide regular training sessions for sales and retail staff to enhance product knowledge.
• Ensure staff are equipped to effectively engage and educate customers.

Reporting & Data Management:
• Deliver accurate reporting via Salesforce/CRM and BI dashboards (Power BI/Tableau).
• Track market/competitor activities and recommend strategic actions.
• Regularly analyze data to refine strategies and improve portfolio performance.

• WSET Level 3+ (Level 4 / CMS certification preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in wine/category/commercial roles, with GCC experience preferred.
• Strong commercial acumen related to pricing, margins, and stock control.
• Confident presenter and skilled trainer capable of educating diverse audiences.
• Proficient in Salesforce/CRM and data visualization tools like Power BI/Tableau and Excel.

About the Company

Propel Consult delivers a service in step with the needs of both our client companies and candidates. Our ability to add value to all levels of recruitment stems from our wholehearted belief in providing a professional service to both parties.

We have built relationships with many leading indigenous and mulitnational organisations throughout the Middle East and internationally in countries such as UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt and many more.

Concentrating our resources has created 5 distinct specialist divisions:

• Banking & Finance
• Human Resources
• Oil & Gas
• Construction
• Architecture & Engineering