About the Role
Guildhall is running this search for a growing consumer goods distributor expanding its regional retail presence. You will take a portfolio of secured international brands from zero to shelf, opening accounts across the relevant retail and online channels. The brand relationships and product range are established; the focus now is on turning them into live retail sales. It is a seat with individual ownership of channel strategy and P&L, not a slot in an established sales team.
The role
- Open new pharmacy, modern trade, beauty and e-commerce accounts across the UAE
- Take products from zero to shelf, managing vendor setup through first PO
- Build and run relationships with retail buyers and category managers
- Manage Amazon and Noon listings, pricing and marketplace promotions
- Drive sell-through, forecasting, stock cover and reorder cycles
- Lead in-store merchandising, launches and promotional campaigns
What you'll bring
- 5–8 years of hands-on UAE experience in FMCG, consumer health, beauty or retail
- Verifiable, current relationships with buyers at major UAE retailers
- A track record of personally opening accounts, not inheriting them
- Full listing-cycle experience: buyer pitch, vendor setup, SKU registration, first PO
- Experience across pharmacy, modern trade, beauty, e-commerce and quick commerce
- Working knowledge of retailer economics: margins, listing fees, rebates, credit terms
- Forecasting, inventory planning and sales reporting experience
- Valid UAE driving licence and fluent English; Arabic an advantage
What's on offer
- Ownership of UAE market entry for a growing portfolio of international brands.
- Direct reporting line to senior commercial leadership
- Scope to shape the launch playbook as further brands join the portfolio
- Performance-linked bonus on top of base salary
Why apply through Guildhall
- Boutique executive search firm in Dubai, established 2010
- 8x independent industry awards since 2020
- 4.9-star Google rating from 250+ reviews
- Direct access to the retained consultant running this search, kept confidential throughout
Hiring a Key Account & Commercial Development Manager in Dubai
This role sits inside consumer goods distributors expanding their UAE footprint. It typically reports to a Commercial Director, Chief Commercial Officer or CEO and owns the full route from securing a listing to driving repeat sales through it. Distributors are hiring for this profile now because securing brand rights is only the first step; converting those rights into sales requires someone with active retail buyer relationships. Strong candidates usually come from FMCG, consumer healthcare, beauty or distributor backgrounds and can point to accounts they opened themselves.
Common questions
What does a Key Account & Commercial Development Manager do in Dubai?
This role owns the commercial relationship between a brand and its UAE retailers, from first buyer meeting through to ongoing sales growth. It covers opening new accounts, securing product listings, negotiating trade terms, and managing forecasting, stock and marketplace performance across pharmacy, modern trade, beauty, e-commerce and quick commerce.
What experience do I need to apply?
Employers typically look for 5–8 years of hands-on UAE experience in FMCG, consumer health, beauty or retail, with a track record of personally opening accounts rather than managing ones already in place. Full listing-cycle experience, buyer relationships, and comfort with retailer economics, forecasting and marketplace platforms like Amazon and Noon are usually required.
How do I apply?
Apply directly on this page. A Guildhall consultant reviews every application confidentially and will contact shortlisted candidates directly.
What does this role pay?
The advertised range is AED 15,000–25,000 per month, with a preferred band of AED 18,000–22,000 per month plus performance bonus.
Salary Guide — Similar Jobs
This is not the salary for this job. It is a general guide showing what people in similar jobs usually earn, based on 1,846 real salaries shared with Guildhall. The salary for this job may be different.
Similar Roles at Guildhall
For Employers
Hiring for a role like this?
Guildhall places pre-vetted candidates for positions like this one across the UAE and GCC — most shortlists are delivered within days.
The Agency Behind This Role
This search is managed by Guildhall — an 8× award-winning executive search and recruitment agency, rated 4.9★ across 250+ Google reviews, recruiting in Dubai and across the GCC.