Category Manager

About the Role

Mindfield Resources is seeking a Category Manager for a full-time position in Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This role is with an established food manufacturing organization in Saudi Arabia, which has a diversified portfolio of consumer food and dairy products. The Category Manager will be responsible for shaping the commercial direction of the dairy portfolio.

Role Purpose and Context

The Category Manager will identify opportunities to increase market share, strengthen consumer engagement, and improve category profitability within the dairy portfolio. This position involves close collaboration with marketing, sales, product development, and other business functions to translate market intelligence into practical growth initiatives, ensuring the portfolio remains competitive and aligned with evolving consumer needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Build category plans that support revenue growth, market penetration, and long-term brand development.
• Evaluate portfolio performance and identify opportunities to improve product mix, pricing, and profitability.
• Interpret consumer research, market trends, and competitor activity to guide commercial decisions.
• Develop initiatives that strengthen brand relevance and purchasing preference among Saudi consumers.
• Identify gaps in the market and lead new product introductions from concept through launch.
• Assess marketing investments and promotional performance to ensure measurable business returns.
• Partner with sales and trade marketing teams to improve product visibility, availability, and channel performance.
• Coordinate with R&D, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to support product development and market readiness.
• Track category performance against agreed business targets and address areas of underperformance.
• Manage cross-functional projects and external partners to deliver category priorities effectively.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Direct dairy industry experience and Saudi Arabia market experience are mandatory.
• Minimum 5–8 years of relevant experience in FMCG brand management, category management, or consumer marketing.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi consumer preferences, purchasing patterns, and the competitive dairy landscape.
• Experience developing brand strategies, managing product portfolios, and identifying new growth opportunities.
• Hands-on involvement in new product development, commercialization, and market launches.
• Commercial awareness of pricing, sales performance, marketing investments, and profitability.
• Ability to interpret market and financial data and translate findings into business recommendations.
• Experience working with sales, trade marketing, product development, and manufacturing stakeholders.

Experience Level

This role requires 5-10 years of professional experience in the specified fields.