Category Manager – UAE Procurement & Buying

About the role

Our Shopee is seeking an experienced Category Manager – UAE Procurement & Buying to lead category growth, local procurement activities, and vendor partnerships across the UAE market. The position is suited for a commercially driven professional with deep knowledge of consumer electronics, mobiles, home appliances, and health & beauty categories.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies to achieve sales, margin and P&L objectives.
• Lead UAE local procurement, buying activities and vendor sourcing initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brands, distributors, wholesalers and suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, margins, credit terms, promotions, rebates and commercial agreements.
• Identify new brands, products and vendors to expand category offerings.
• Manage assortment, pricing, inventory availability and category profitability.
• Monitor vendor performance and establish long‑term strategic partnerships.
• Analyse market trends, competitor pricing and customer demand to identify growth opportunities.
• Develop promotional and commercial plans to achieve revenue and margin targets.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Catalogue and Finance teams.

Required profile

• 8–12+ years of UAE/GCC experience in Category Management, Buying, Procurement or E‑commerce/Retail.
• Strong experience in Consumer Electronics, Mobiles, Home Appliances and/or Health & Beauty categories.
• Proven UAE local vendor and supplier network.
• Excellent negotiation and commercial buying skills.
• Ability to deliver revenue, margin and P&L growth.
• Strong understanding of UAE market pricing, brands, distributors and retail/e‑commerce channels.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong Excel knowledge.
• Existing relationships with major UAE brands, distributors and wholesalers are an advantage.

Required skills

• UAE procurement and local buying processes.
• Category management and vendor relationship management.
• Retail/e‑commerce pricing, inventory and commercial strategies.