Job Description

Assistant Category Manager - Sports Division - GMG - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
GMG Dubai is hiring an analytical and results-oriented Assistant Category Manager to support category planning and product range development within its Sports Division. The role involves assisting in seasonal buying, assortment planning, sales analysis, and inventory management across leading international and home-grown sports brands. The Assistant Category Manager will work closely with the Category Manager to drive product strategies, optimize assortments, and ensure successful execution across stores and regional markets.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Sporting Goods
Function: Business Analysis-Research
Salary: 12000-16000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Key Responsibilities

• Support the Category Manager in developing and executing strategic buying plans for assigned product categories.
• Build balanced assortments and seasonal range plans aligned with market trends and consumer preferences.
• Coordinate with planning teams to validate and optimize Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets for each season.
• Manage order uploads, track deliveries, and ensure timelines are met across the product portfolio.
• Analyze sales performance, sell-through, and category profitability to identify improvement opportunities.
• Prepare reports and data insights for range and distribution planning.
• Support distribution planning and allocation across stores to maximize stock efficiency and sell-through rates.
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising and Marketing teams to ensure product presentation aligns with brand standards.
• Conduct store visits to monitor execution, identify sales opportunities, and provide on-ground feedback.
• Maintain category stock health by controlling inventory levels, markdown planning, and KPI management (ITR, ASP, GMROI).
• Monitor competitor products, pricing, and promotions to inform buying decisions and identify new opportunities.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree in business, retail management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in retail buying, planning, or category management.
• Background in sporting goods or lifestyle retail is preferred.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and retail planning systems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.
• Strong commercial awareness with a focus on profitability and market trends.
• Proactive and organized, capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Skills Set

• Category planning and assortment development
• OTB and inventory management
• Retail analytics and financial reporting
• Market research and competitor analysis
• Visual merchandising and product presentation

Why Join Us

• Work with top global and regional sports brands.
• Exposure to strategic retail planning and category development.
• Competitive salary and benefits with career growth opportunities.
• Collaborative and high-performance work culture.
• Opportunity to influence product strategies across the GCC market.

About the Company
GMG is a global well-being company operating across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, managing more than 120 brands across sports, food, health, beauty, properties, and logistics sectors. Headquartered in Dubai, GMG has been shaping consumer experiences for over 45 years by combining innovation, brand partnerships, and data-driven retail strategies that inspire active and healthy lifestyles.
Job Title Assistant Category Manager - Sports Division - GMG - Dubai, UAE
Assistant Category Manager - Sports Division - GMG - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
GMG Dubai is hiring an analytical and results-oriented Assistant Category Manager to support category planning and product range development within its Sports Division. The role involves assisting in seasonal buying, assortment planning, sales analysis, and inventory management across leading international and home-grown sports brands. The Assistant Category Manager will work closely with the Category Manager to drive product strategies, optimize assortments, and ensure successful execution across stores and regional markets.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Sporting Goods
Function: Business Analysis-Research
Salary: 12000-16000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Key Responsibilities

• Support the Category Manager in developing and executing strategic buying plans for assigned product categories.
• Build balanced assortments and seasonal range plans aligned with market trends and consumer preferences.
• Coordinate with planning teams to validate and optimize Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets for each season.
• Manage order uploads, track deliveries, and ensure timelines are met across the product portfolio.
• Analyze sales performance, sell-through, and category profitability to identify improvement opportunities.
• Prepare reports and data insights for range and distribution planning.
• Support distribution planning and allocation across stores to maximize stock efficiency and sell-through rates.
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising and Marketing teams to ensure product presentation aligns with brand standards.
• Conduct store visits to monitor execution, identify sales opportunities, and provide on-ground feedback.
• Maintain category stock health by controlling inventory levels, markdown planning, and KPI management (ITR, ASP, GMROI).
• Monitor competitor products, pricing, and promotions to inform buying decisions and identify new opportunities.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree in business, retail management, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in retail buying, planning, or category management.
• Background in sporting goods or lifestyle retail is preferred.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and retail planning systems.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities.
• Strong commercial awareness with a focus on profitability and market trends.
• Proactive and organized, capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Skills Set

• Category planning and assortment development
• OTB and inventory management
• Retail analytics and financial reporting
• Market research and competitor analysis
• Visual merchandising and product presentation

Why Join Us

• Work with top global and regional sports brands.
• Exposure to strategic retail planning and category development.
• Competitive salary and benefits with career growth opportunities.
• Collaborative and high-performance work culture.
• Opportunity to influence product strategies across the GCC market.

About the Company
GMG is a global well-being company operating across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, managing more than 120 brands across sports, food, health, beauty, properties, and logistics sectors. Headquartered in Dubai, GMG has been shaping consumer experiences for over 45 years by combining innovation, brand partnerships, and data-driven retail strategies that inspire active and healthy lifestyles.
Post Details
Job Start Date
Salary from 12000.00
Salary to 16000.00
Number of Vacancies 1
Location -
Location City Dubai
Desired Candidate's Profile
Gender No Preference
Nationality
Candidate Current Location

Skills Required