Head of Distribution, UAE (Online & Quick-Commerce Channels)

About the role

Xeliport is a startup that brings Indian consumer brands into the UAE, with 14 signed brands across food, FMCG and other categories. This is a full-time, business development role in Dubai focused on opening distribution channels for its brands on online and quick-commerce platforms, and later on supermarkets and hypermarkets. There is no playbook and no team under you yet.

The role is not a marketplace operations role: you will not run Amazon accounts, manage listings, ads or orders.

Key responsibilities

• Pitch brands to category and vendor managers and follow up until the channel is open
• Get restricted categories ungated, such as Grocery & Gourmet Foods on Amazon.ae
• Chase label approvals and registration paperwork with partners
• Prepare pitch decks, pricing and margin sheets for buyers
• Find importer partners for regulated categories
• Meet supermarket buyers once the online channels are moving

Required profile

• 3-6 years in business development, at an agency or distributor, working for multiple brands
• Experience opening channels for brands on UAE e-commerce or quick-commerce platforms
• People person who enjoys building relationships with buyers
• Generalist who is comfortable chasing documents and running buyer meetings
• Wants to build something from zero and takes ownership
• Based in the UAE; Arabic and contacts in KSA and the wider GCC are a plus

Nice to have

• Supermarket or hypermarket buyer contacts
• Experience bringing brands from India into the UAE

Success in 90 days: two new online or quick-commerce channels open, a retail chain listing secured or progressing, and a repeatable pipeline of buyer conversations.