Commercial Director - Supermarkets

Overview

Lead commercial transformation for Carrefour Supermarkets in UAE

Key Responsibilities

• margin improvement
• pricing strategy
• assortment optimization
• supplier negotiation
• category growth
• team leadership

Tasks

The Commercial Director will lead the commercial transformation and turnaround agenda for Carrefour Supermarkets business across the UAE, driving profitability, assortment efficiency, and supplier partnerships. This role is pivotal in reshaping the commercial strategy, optimizing category performance, and ensuring the brand remains the preferred destination for customers in a highly competitive grocery retail market. -Introduce best-in-class retail practices from global markets to uplift performance across core grocery, fresh, and FMCG categories. -Instill a performance culture driven by clear KPIs, ownership, and accountability. -Partner closely with operations, supply chain, and marketing to ensure commercial strategies translate effectively at store level. -Champion collaboration between local and regional commercial functions. -Define and implement the commercial strategy, focusing on margin improvement, pricing competitiveness, and category performance. -Act as a key driver of the commercial development project, with a focus on structural margin improvement and cost optimization. -Drive data-led commercial decisions to optimize assortment, supplier terms, and product mix. -Negotiate commercial agreements ensuring sustainable profitability and win-win outcomes. -Deliver measurable improvements in category profitability, sales mix, and supplier contribution. -Build strong relationships with global and regional suppliers to enhance sourcing capabilities and competitiveness. -Lead the development of category growth plans aligned with consumer trends and local market needs. -Drive simplification, efficiency, and modernization across commercial processes and decision-making frameworks. -Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing commercial team focused on execution excellence. -Strengthen strategic supplier partnerships to unlock joint business plans and long-term growth.

Requirements

• uae market
• commercial leadership
• p&l management
• data-driven
• negotiation
• leadership

What You Bring

The ideal candidate brings deep experience from recognized international grocery retailers, combined with a solid understanding of the UAE retail landscape and local customer dynamics. -Experience in the local UAE grocery markets is essential. -Proven track record with recognized grocery retailers. -Strong leadership presence with the ability to lead transformation through influence, clarity, and collaboration. -Minimum 10 years of progressive commercial leadership in grocery retail, with at least 5 years in a senior manager/director or commercial/category lead role. -Ability to balance short-term performance with long-term brand and market positioning. -Strategic commercial acumen with a strong understanding of P&L management and category profitability. -Strong understanding of UAE market customer preferences, pricing sensitivity, and supplier landscape. -Data-driven decision-making with strong analytical and financial capability. -Demonstrated success leading commercial turnaround or transformation projects within large retail organizations. -Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.

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About Majid Al Futtaim

-Created from a vision to redefine shopping and leisure in the Middle East, this group evolved from a single founder's idea into a cross-continental leader. -It drives growth through major retail and community hubs like shopping malls, hotels, and mixed-use developments. -Features exclusive franchises and key projects such as Carrefour hypermarkets, VOX cinemas, Ski Dubai, iFly Dubai, and the iconic Mall of the Emirates. -Operates a leisure division that introduces unique attractions like indoor skiing, skydiving, waterparks, and flagship stores for LEGO and American Girl. -Known for impressive achievements, including the region's largest indoor ski floor, the first corporate green sukuk in the Middle East, and a multi-screen IMAX and 4DX cinema flagship.

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