Category Manager - MENA Region

About the Role
Join one of the world’s largest food companies and be a vital part of a team dedicated to nourishing life through quality and innovation. As the Category Manager for the Processed Food categories across MENA, you will be accountable for defining the category vision and driving sustainable, profitable growth. This role combines strategic leadership, deep business and consumer insights, innovation management, and disciplined execution to build a competitive portfolio and achieve measurable business results.
Collaborating with regional and local teams, you will set clear priorities and mobilize stakeholders from strategy through market execution. This position also focuses on developing the category team, fostering ownership and accountability towards the agenda.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the category vision and strategy, translating business ambitions into clear growth priorities, portfolio choices, financial targets and regional action plans.
• Manage category performance and P&L, integrating volume, revenue, market share, pricing, mix, margin, distribution, inventory and trade investment to identify risks and value-creation opportunities.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of consumers, shoppers, customers, competitors, and market dynamics; convert insights into actionable opportunities across segments, channels, occasions, price tiers, and pack formats.
• Optimize the portfolio architecture by defining product roles and leading decisions on assortment, distribution priorities, and product renovations or rationalizations.
• Lead end-to-end innovation projects: from opportunity identification and concept development through business case approval, product and packaging development, supply readiness, commercialization, launch, and post-launch performance review.
• Align Marketing, R&D, Trade Marketing, Commercial, Finance, Supply, Procurement, Quality, and other partners around plans, milestones, decisions, and execution accountability.
• Present clear recommendations and robust analysis to senior stakeholders, constructively challenge assumptions, and navigate trade-offs to accelerate decisions.
• Foster engagement and development within the category team, including peers and direct reports, by promoting collaboration, sharing knowledge, coaching, and feedback, and enhancing performance.

Profile Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Marketing, or a related field; MBA or Master’s preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive FMCG experience, including category, portfolio, or business agenda ownership.
• Experience in Category Management, Marketing, Business Planning, or Commercial functions.
• Proven success in managing category performance, developing business growth initiatives, and leading cross-functional projects.
• Experience in team leadership or development is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required; Arabic is an advantage.
• Strong background in FMCG category management, innovation, business analytics, and commercial decision-making.

Key Competencies

• Strong business acumen and ability to connect category performance to overall business results.
• Advanced analytical skills, including proficiency in P&L management and market intelligence.
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Capacity to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Excellent project management and execution capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and achieve results in a dynamic environment.
• Proven leadership skills including coaching, delegation, prioritization, and team development.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Benefits

• Join a global, collaborative, and dynamic working environment.
• Engage in a strong corporate culture with commitments to customers, employees, and communities.
• Explore vertical, horizontal, and cross-functional growth opportunities.
• Receive a competitive compensation and benefits package.