Sarfaraz Iqbal Arab
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
Summary
Strategic Category Manager with 15 years of experience in retail and category management across Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Currently oversees Bakery, Beverages, Dairy, Confectionery, Grocery Food, and Snacks categories, optimising inventory and driving sales growth. Expertise includes category strategy, assortment planning, supplier management, and commercial negotiation, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance availability and profitability.
Overview
4
4
Languages
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Category Manager
SASCO
Riyadh
10.2024 - Current
- Develop category strategies based on market trends, customer insights, sales performance and business objectives.
- Manage Bakery, Beverages, Dairy, Confectionery, Grocery Food and Snacks categories, driving sales, profitability, availability and category growth.
- Monitor category profitability and develop actions to improve margin, sell-through and return on inventory.
- Manage product selection, listing, delisting and store-wise assortment planning according to store classification and customer demand.
- Lead supplier negotiations covering pricing, promotions, rebates, commercial terms, credit notes and payment conditions.
- Developed supplier-supported promotions and seasonal activities, generating incremental sales and attracting new customers.
- Analysed sales, margins, stock levels, availability and product performance, identifying opportunities and corrective actions.
- Controlled overstock, slow-moving, near-expiry and expired products through assortment optimisation, promotions, RTV and supplier support.
- Monitor supplier performance, delivery frequency, store coverage, product availability and service levels.
- Coordinate DSD, DC and warehouse supply plans and ensure suppliers follow agreed dispatch and delivery schedules.
- Work closely with Warehouse, Finance, Operations, Stores and suppliers to resolve stock, payment, SOA, RTV and commercial issues.
- Review supplier SOAs, invoices, RTVs, fees, rebates and credit notes and support reconciliation of account variances.
- Identify new listings, category expansion and supplier development opportunities; prepare performance reports and recommendations.
- Support new-store openings through assortment, stock planning, supplier supply and commercial coordination.
- Saudi Automotive Services Company
Store Manager → Mall Manager → Branch Manager
GRANDIOSE / GRAND HYPERMARKETS
Dubai / Sharjah
10.2021 - 09.2024
- 30% sales growth within 3 months - Grandiose, 2024
- Converted a loss-making store into a profitable operation - Grand Hypermarket, 2023
- Managed retail operations, driving sales, profitability, inventory control, customer service and team performance.
- Developed strategies to improve sales conversion, basket size, items per transaction and customer value.
- Oversaw P&L, budgets, sales forecasts and business plans to ensure financial health.
- Managed stock and replenishment, optimising warehouse operations and ensuring product availability.
- Led multicultural teams covering staffing, training, performance management and succession planning.
- Managed suppliers and negotiated prices, deals, promotions and commercial support.
- Coordinated Marketing and support functions on seasonal campaigns and store activities.
- Ensured compliance with food safety, hygiene, merchandising and operational standards.
- Developed SOPs and internal controls to improve efficiency and profitability.
- UAE
Assistant Manager → Store Manager
TAMIMI MARKETS / SAFEWAY
Saudi Arabia
07.2014 - 06.2021
- Oversaw sales, P&L, budgets, forecasts, inventory, and overall store performance, driving financial success.
- Crafted business strategies to enhance sales, profitability, and return on investment.
- Converted a loss-incurring store into a profitable operation within 9 months
- Highest sales growth within 3 months - 2019
- Lowest distress store - 2018
- Highest return goods control - 2017
- Managed complete supermarket operations covering Grocery, Fresh, Dairy & Frozen, Bakery, Meat & Seafood and General Merchandise.
- Coordinated suppliers, ensured product availability, and streamlined replenishment and inventory control processes.
- Led multicultural teams and managed recruitment, training, performance and succession planning.
- Worked with Marketing and support functions on promotions and seasonal business initiatives.
- Ensured compliance with SOPs, food safety, hygiene, merchandising and customer service standards.
- SAUDI ARABIA
Store Fresh / Operations Manager
BHARTI WALMART / EASYDAY MARKET
Bangalore
09.2010 - 06.2014
- Realised net margin in Fresh Department within 3 months through strategic operational enhancements.
- Oversaw store operations and Fresh Department performance, focusing on sales, inventory, and team management to ensure operational efficiency.
- INDIA
Store Manager → Area Manager
ZAPAK.COM
Bangalore
09.2008 - 09.2010
- Managed store and area operations, driving sales performance and business development initiatives.
- Achieved 53% sales growth in 6 months, earning Employee of the Month recognition twice.
- BENGALURU, INDIA
Education
Diploma -
Production Engineering
Maharashtra, India01-2002
Skills
- Category Management
- Assortment Planning
- Supplier Management
- Commercial Negotiation
- Pricing & Margin Management
- Inventory Optimisation
- Promotion Planning
- P&L Management
- Retail Operations
- Sales & Business Development
- Procurement
- Team Leadership
Languages
English
Arabic
Hindi
Urdu
Custom
sarfaraz-arab-972b813a
Timeline
Category Manager
SASCO
10.2024 - Current
Store Manager → Mall Manager → Branch Manager
GRANDIOSE / GRAND HYPERMARKETS
10.2021 - 09.2024
Assistant Manager → Store Manager
TAMIMI MARKETS / SAFEWAY
07.2014 - 06.2021
Store Fresh / Operations Manager
BHARTI WALMART / EASYDAY MARKET
09.2010 - 06.2014
Store Manager → Area Manager
ZAPAK.COM
09.2008 - 09.2010
Diploma -
Production Engineering