Engagement Type

Independent Consultant or Fixed-Term Contractor (12 months initially)

Potential pathway to longer-term or permanent employment from Year 2 onward subject to performance and business growth.

Visa Sponsorship

No visa sponsorship is available for this role. Candidates must already hold valid UAE residency and work rights.

Location

UAE-based (Dubai preferred). Remote-first with local supplier meetings and travel as required.

Team Structure

This role will work alongside existing commercial and supplier engagement resources as the business continues expanding category partnerships and supplier coverage within the UAE market.

Role Overview

An international e-commerce and distribution-focused business is seeking a commercially driven partnerships professional to support supplier onboarding and category expansion activities within the UAE market.

The role focuses on developing commercial relationships with suppliers, distributors, and brand owners across beauty, skincare, haircare, wellness, and related FMCG categories.

The business operates an online retail model supported by supplier-direct order fulfilment and curated product partnerships.

This is a practical, hands-on role suited to someone comfortable operating independently within a fast-moving and commercially focused environment.

The role may suit either:

• a full-time operator, or

• a commercially capable part-time consultant with strong industry relationships and availability

Core Responsibilities

Commercial Partnerships & Supplier Development

• Identify and engage UAE-based suppliers, distributors, and brand owners

• Build and maintain a structured supplier and partnership pipeline

• Conduct supplier outreach, meetings, and relationship development activities

• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures, fulfilment arrangements, and onboarding requirements

• Support onboarding progression and commercial alignment discussions

• Maintain clear supplier engagement records and pipeline updates

Commercial Validation & Market Insights

• Support validation of wholesale pricing and commercial viability

• Provide practical market feedback and supplier insights

• Identify operational risks, fulfilment limitations, and commercial opportunities

• Contribute recommendations regarding category expansion and product selection

• Assist with supplier qualification and partnership prioritisation

Execution & Operational Support

• Operate autonomously within an early-stage growth environment

• Collaborate closely with management on commercial priorities

• Support onboarding and launch-readiness activities where required

• Contribute toward process refinement and supplier workflow alignment

• Maintain consistent reporting and progression visibility

Indicative 60-Day Outcomes

Indicative targets may include:

• commercially viable supplier partnerships progressed

• active supplier pipeline established

• onboarding discussions progressing toward activation

• pricing and commercial structures validated

• curated product opportunities identified

• launch-readiness activities progressing

Success Metrics

• Number and quality of supplier partnerships progressed

• Commercial viability of negotiated structures

• Supplier responsiveness and onboarding momentum

• Quality of market insights and execution support

• Consistency of reporting and commercial follow-through

• Ability to operate independently and maintain momentum

Experience & Attributes

• 5–10 years of relevant experience in business development, partnerships, supplier sourcing, wholesale, account management, or related commercial roles

• Existing UAE network within beauty, salon, skincare, wellness, FMCG, wholesale, or distribution sectors strongly preferred

• Strong relationship-building and negotiation capability

• Comfortable operating independently with minimal structure

• Commercially pragmatic, organised, and action-oriented

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

• Comfortable operating within fast-moving and evolving business environments

Compensation & Incentives

• AED 8,000 – AED 12,000 monthly retainer for full-time engagement (part-time arrangements considered on a pro-rata basis), depending on experience and engagement structure• Performance-based incentive opportunities

• Product sales bonus opportunities

• Retention / “golden handshake” payment subject to performance milestones

• Future long-term opportunities may be considered as the business scales

Final Note

This role is best suited to commercially accountable individuals who enjoy building partnerships, progressing opportunities, and contributing within an evolving business environment.

It is not suited to candidates seeking heavily structured corporate environments or large people-management responsibilities.