Area Manager Retail

The Area Manager - Travel Retail is responsible for the end-to-end operational management of Bateel’s Travel Retail function across all active and new markets globally.

The role owns the full operational engine; from order management, stock, merchandising, and field team execution to client relationships, new business development, and P&L delivery.

The successful candidate is a self-driven, commercially minded operations professional who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-market environment, takes full ownership of outcomes, and builds strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal teams without requiring close supervision.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with travel retail operators, duty free partners, airlines, and distributors.
• Identify and secure new business opportunities and contracts within the Travel retail sector.
• Lead commercial negotiations with new and existing customers while ensuring alignment with Bateel’s profitability and margin objectives.
• Support achievement of departmental sales targets through effective operational and commercial execution.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities and improve business performance.
• Support annual budgeting, sales forecasting, and strategic planning for the Travel Retail division.

• Oversee daily operations across travel retail outlets and duty free locations locally and internationally.
• Ensure timely execution of purchase orders, deliveries, replenishment, and inventory management.
• Forecast inventory requirements and manage stock allocation within agreed variance levels.
• Ensure FIFO standards and stock control procedures are consistently implemented across all locations.
• Coordinate packaging, POS materials, promotional assets, and seasonal campaign requirements.
• Conduct regular airport and store visits to evaluate operational standards, merchandising compliance, and business performance.
• Ensure smooth coordination between internal departments including supply chain, logistics, finance, marketing, and retail operations.

• Implement and maintain visual merchandising standards across all travel retail locations in line with brand guidelines.
• Develop merchandising plans, planograms, and promotional displays to enhance customer experience and maximize sales.
• Monitor in-store execution and ensure consistency of brand presentation across all points of sale.
• Optimize retail space utilization to improve product visibility and operational efficiency.

• Lead, manage, and develop merchandising, promoter, and operational support teams across multiple locations.
• Drive employee engagement, performance management, coaching, and training initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate manpower planning and operational staffing requirements are maintained.
• Manage attendance, leave planning, performance evaluations, and employee development activities.
• Ensure airport access passes and operational compliance requirements are maintained on time.

• To create an environment which is a great place to work for you and your colleagues through your dedication, enthusiasm, sharing of knowledge, honesty and desire to support others.
• To display excellent standards in all you do and inspire others to do the same, and that you operate within legislative/regulatory and company policies and procedures.
• To display confidence, self-belief and openness to new ideas, adapting and embracing challenges and opportunities with a determination to excel.
• Continuously develop own skills by attending all required training courses and maintaining an up to date knowledge of products, services, systems and work processes.

• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in Travel Retail, FMCG or luxury retail operations.
• Proven experience in managing travel retail or duty-free operations, across multiple locations.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in business development and contract negotiations.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of luxury retail and premium consumer brands is preferred.
• Strong analytical, operational planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Retail Management, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Driving license UAE with own car