Role Purpose

The Commercial Director will lead the commercial transformation and turnaround agenda for well-recognized and well-established grocery chain, with stores 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.

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.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and implement the commercial strategy, focusing on margin improvement, pricing competitiveness, and category performance.
• Drive data-led commercial decisions to optimize assortment, supplier terms, and product mix.
• Partner closely with operations, supply chain, and marketing to ensure commercial strategies translate effectively at store level.
• Lead the development of category growth plans aligned with consumer trends and local market needs.
• Introduce best-in-class retail practices from global markets to uplift performance across core grocery, fresh, and FMCG categories.

Supplier & Partnership Management

• Strengthen strategic supplier partnerships to unlock joint business plans and long-term growth.
• Negotiate commercial agreements ensuring sustainable profitability and win-win outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with global and regional suppliers to enhance sourcing capabilities and competitiveness.

Team & Performance Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing commercial team focused on execution excellence.
• Instill a performance culture driven by clear KPIs, ownership, and accountability.
• Champion collaboration between local and regional commercial functions.

Transformation & Turnaround Delivery

• Act as a key driver of the commercial development project, with a focus on structural margin improvement and cost optimization.
• Drive simplification, efficiency, and modernization across commercial processes and decision-making frameworks.
• Deliver measurable improvements in category profitability, sales mix, and supplier contribution.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Background

• 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.
• Proven track record with recognized international grocery retailers
• Demonstrated success leading commercial turnaround or transformation projects within large retail organizations.
• International experience in mature grocery markets is essential.
• UAE or GCC market experience, background or knowledge with a strong understanding of UAE market customer preferences, pricing sensitivity, and supplier landscape.

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic commercial acumen with a strong understanding of P&L management and category profitability.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Data-driven decision-making with strong analytical and financial capability.
• Ability to balance short-term performance with long-term brand and market positioning.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to lead transformation through influence, clarity, and collaboration.