Job Purpose
The Category Specialist acts as the operational bridge between category management and active sales execution. In addition to supporting the Category Manager with data, pricing, and supplier workflows, this role directly drives revenue by enabling the sales team. This includes mapping client opportunities, participating in market visits, and conducting product demonstrations to secure listings across UAE retail and HORECA channels.
Key Responsibilities
- Sales Enablement & Client Mapping
- Conduct client mapping exercises to identify high-potential restaurants, hotels, cafes, and retailers for specific product lines.
- Join the sales team on market visits to understand customer needs, gather product feedback, and pitch category innovations.
- Analyze competitor placements in the field to identify gaps where your company's products can win market share.
- Emphasize the maintenance and focus on item sales that are already established in our portfolio
- Product Demonstrations & Culinary Support
- Support product demos and tastings for chefs, procurement managers, and retail buyers to showcase product quality and applications.
- Assist with trainings of the sales team on product unique selling propositions, handling instructions, and menu integration ideas.
- Coordinate sample distribution and follow up on customer feedback trials with the sales team.
- Data Analytics & Reporting (Category Support)
- Analyze sales data to identify top-performing SKUs and slow-moving inventory.
- Track KPI metrics including profit margins, stock turns, and client-specific sales volumes.
- Monitor market trends and competitor pricing across UAE retail and food service.
- Update pricing architectures in the system based on approved margin guidelines.
- Monitor stock levels closely to ensure availability matches sales forecasts and promotion demands.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Category Sales Growth: Achievement of targeted sales volume and gross margins.
- New Client Conversions: Contribution to successful new product listings and client acquisitions.
- Sales Team Satisfaction: Effectiveness of demos, pitch materials, and client mapping data provided.
- Stock Availability: Maintaining optimal inventory levels to meet sales pipeline demands without overstocking.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Experience: 2–4 years in FMCG, food distribution, or HORECA sales/support within the UAE.
- Skills: Strong presentation skills with the confidence to conduct live product/food demonstrations.
- Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in MS Excel (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables) and ERPs (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
- Local Knowledge: Solid understanding of the UAE food market landscape
- Mobility: Valid UAE driving license and willingness to travel frequently for client visits and demos.
- Languages: Fluent English is mandatory; Arabic is a plus.
