Associate Director - Category management

About the team

Careem Groceries is on a mission to transform how people shop for groceries, pharmacy, and retail products. As an exciting new vertical within Careem—a startup within a startup—we are in the early stages of building a cutting-edge platform. We have ambitious growth plans and are tackling fundamental challenges to redefine online grocery shopping in the region.

What you'll do

As the Associate Director, Category Management, you will lead the category management function for Careem Groceries in the UAE. Your role will be pivotal in shaping our assortment strategy, securing the right suppliers, optimizing commercial terms, and driving sourcing, pricing, and promotional strategies. This is a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on everyday consumers across the region.

• Develop and execute a winning category strategy—define selection, category hierarchy, and pricing while ensuring competitive and market-relevant offerings.
• Stay ahead of consumer trends in online grocery and Q-commerce, ensuring Careem Groceries leads the market in innovation and assortment.
• Continuously refine assortment strategies based on data-driven insights, consumer preferences, and evolving market trends.
• Collaborate with supply chain and procurement teams to source the best brands and products, ensuring a seamless and high-quality customer experience.
• Optimize regional assortment to cater to diverse customer needs across different geographies.
• Work cross-functionally with finance, supply chain, and store operations teams to drive efficiencies and improve business performance.
• Build and strengthen supplier partnerships, negotiating favorable terms and fostering long-term relationships.
• Enhance logistical coordination by ensuring smooth operations between suppliers and the supply chain team.

What you'll need

• 10+ years of experience in category management or buying within the retail/FMCG sector. Experience in e-commerce or startups is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of the Middle East grocery/convenience/hypermarket industry and a passion for disrupting the status quo.
• Strong P&L acumen with the ability to drive strategic decisions based on analytical insights.
• Proven negotiation skills in working with FMCG brands, suppliers, and business development partners.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills—able to influence and align teams at all levels.
• A hands-on, results-driven approach with the resilience to tackle challenges head-on and execute with precision.

This role is perfect for a strategic leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to redefine the future of grocery retail in the region.