Category Development Manager

About the role

We are seeking a strategic and commercially driven Category Development Manager to identify, develop, and launch new growth opportunities for our beverage portfolio. You will own the end‑to‑end process from market opportunity identification through business case creation, product development, sourcing, commercialization, and launch performance.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate new category and product opportunities aligned with the business growth strategy.
• Develop category roadmaps, business cases, P&L models, pricing strategies, and go‑to‑market plans.
• Lead end‑to‑end new product development and commercialization through stage‑gate processes.
• Conduct market, consumer, competitor, and trend analysis to pinpoint high‑potential opportunities.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Procurement, Finance, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain to deliver successful launches.
• Manage external partners, co‑manufacturers, suppliers, research agencies, and strategic partners.
• Track revenue, profitability, market share, launch performance, and ROI; recommend corrective actions.
• Present category strategies, investment proposals, and performance updates to senior management.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Economics, Engineering, Food Science or related field.
• 10+ years of FMCG/Food & Beverage experience in category development, product development, innovation, portfolio or brand management.
• Proven track record launching and commercializing new categories, products or brands, preferably in coffee or related beverage categories.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical skills, stakeholder management and project leadership.
• Arabic language is an advantage.

Required skills