Sales Director – International Retail GNFR Sales | Dubai

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Employment: Full-time, Permanent
Sector: Retail Supply | GNFR | Sustainable Packaging | Recycled Products | Retail Consumables
Remuneration: Attractive executive package with performance-related incentives

IMPORTANT – ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

You MUST have direct experience selling Goods Not for Resale (GNFR) into major retail head offices to be considered for this position.

This is a supplier-side commercial leadership appointment, NOT a retail store operations, general FMCG sales or consumer goods distribution role.

The Opportunity

I am conducting a confidential international search for an experienced Sales Director / Head of International Sales to join an ambitious, growing business based in Dubai.

The company specialises in innovative, sustainable products, recycled materials and environmentally responsible solutions for major international retailers.

The successful candidate will take ownership of international business development, secure significant retail supply contracts, develop key accounts and build a high-performing sales team.

This is a particularly attractive opportunity for a commercially driven leader who already understands how major retail procurement departments operate and has the relationships and experience to convert opportunities into substantial, profitable business.

Essential Experience – What You MUST Demonstrate

1. Direct GNFR Sales into Major Retailers

You must have personally sold products or supply solutions directly to major retail businesses, preferably across Europe and the USA.

Relevant categories include:

- Retail packaging, shopping bags and sustainable packaging solutions
- Recycled plastics, sustainable consumables and circular economy products
- Retail branding and information solutions (RBIS), RFID, labels, ticketing and trims
- Store fixtures, fittings, display equipment and point-of-sale materials
- Branded merchandise, retail supplies and other GNFR product categories

2. Established Retail Head-Office Relationships

You should have existing professional relationships with senior decision-makers, including:

- Group Procurement Directors and Heads of Procurement




- Strategic Sourcing Directors and Purchasing Teams
- Sustainability and ESG Directors
- Retail Supply Chain and Commercial Directors

Importantly, you must understand how retailers select suppliers, approve products, negotiate agreements and award major supply contracts.

3. Personally Secured Major Retail Contracts

I am seeking measurable evidence of your own commercial achievements.

You should be able to discuss major retail accounts you have personally opened, contracts negotiated, annual revenue generated and long-term business secured.

Experience managing existing accounts alone is insufficient. You must demonstrate an ability to originate and win new business.

4. Sales Leadership and Team Development

You must be capable of building and leading an international commercial team while remaining personally involved in key customer relationships and major negotiations.

Experience should include sales strategy, recruitment, coaching, performance management, CRM systems, pipeline development and accurate commercial forecasting.

5. International Commercial Management

Strong experience selling into European and US retail markets is particularly important.

You should understand international pricing, commercial negotiations, profitability, product sourcing, customer delivery expectations and the complexities of managing international retail supply agreements.

Key Responsibilities

- Identify and personally secure major international retail accounts.
- Develop relationships with senior retail procurement and sustainability decision-makers.
- Build a commercially qualified international sales pipeline.
- Lead major tenders, commercial presentations and contract negotiations.
- Develop existing key accounts and increase recurring revenue.
- Establish and lead an effective international sales team.
- Take responsibility for sales targets,



pricing, revenue growth and gross margins.
- Work closely with product development, sourcing and operations to deliver customer requirements.
- Drive international expansion, particularly across the USA and Europe.

The Ideal Candidate

You may currently hold a position such as Sales Director, International Sales Director, Commercial Director, Head of Sales, Regional Sales Director, VP Sales or International Key Account Director.

Your background will ideally be with a business supplying physical products directly into major retailers.

Experience within sustainable packaging, recycling, retail branding, GNFR procurement solutions or related retail supply categories would be particularly relevant.

You will be commercially ambitious, confident engaging with senior decision-makers, entrepreneurial in your approach and comfortable operating within a growing business.

Above all, you must be a genuine business winner, not simply an administrator of existing sales accounts.

Location and Package

The position is based in Dubai, with regular international travel.

Applications are welcome from suitably experienced professionals currently based in Europe, the USA, the GCC or other international markets who are prepared to relocate.

An attractive senior-level remuneration package, performance incentives and opportunities for long-term career development will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

Who Should NOT Apply

Please do not apply if your experience is primarily:

- Retail store management or retail operations
- Selling consumer products through distributors or wholesalers without direct retailer GNFR procurement relationships
- General B2B sales without major retail head-office customers
- Selling products to manufacturers rather than retail procurement departments
- Account administration without personally winning significant new business

Direct, demonstrable GNFR sales experience into major retailers is a mandatory requirement.

Applications without the required direct retail GNFR sales experience will not be shortlisted.ially.

Neil Oviatt
Director | General Retail Recruitment

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person

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