Category Buyer – Product Development

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

We are supporting a leading regional organisation with the appointment of an experienced Category Buyer to join its growing Retail & Buying function.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on Buyer who is ready to take the next step in their career, managing the development and commercial performance of retail products across a diverse, multi-site operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full product-development lifecycle from concept, product brief and design through sampling, approval, production and delivery.
• Develop commercially relevant product ranges across multiple retail categories.
• Work with relevant brand and licensing partners to ensure products meet required guidelines and approval standards.
• Identify, source and assess regional and international suppliers and manufacturers.
• Review samples, materials, colours, packaging and product quality before production.
• Coordinate product testing, certification and regulatory compliance.
• Negotiate costs, minimum order quantities, lead times, payment terms and delivery schedules.
• Manage range planning, open-to-buy, pricing, margins, purchase orders and product intake dates.
• Partner with Planning, Inventory, Design, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Finance and Operations teams.
• Analyse sales, margins and inventory performance to optimise ranges and manage slow-moving stock.
• Support seasonal campaigns, activations and new product launches.
• Assist in guiding and developing junior team members.

Requirements

• Approximately 5–8 years of experience in retail buying and physical product development.
• Currently working as a Buyer, Senior Buyer, Category Buyer or Product Developer and ready to take on broader responsibility.
• Proven end-to-end product development experience, from initial concept through sampling, production and launch.
• Strong multi-category exposure, ideally including toys, gifts, licensed merchandise, lifestyle products, souvenirs or hardlines.
• Experience working directly with manufacturers, suppliers and product-development teams.
• Licensed-product or brand-approval experience is strongly preferred.
• Understanding of product testing, quality assurance and regulatory compliance would be advantageous.
• Strong commercial skills across sourcing, negotiation, costing, margins, budgeting and inventory.
• Confident communicator with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders and product-development timelines.
• Experience within a high-volume, multi-site or destination-led retail environment would be advantageous.

Please note: Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.