Job description
Role Overview
Manager - Buyer Development at AD Ports Group, based in Abu Dhabi. The role will lead the identification, segmentation, acquisition, engagement, and activation of buyers across key food channels, including wholesale, food distribution, retail, HORECA/foodservice and other institutional or commercial buyers.
Role Purpose
Develop and activate the buyer ecosystem of Abu Dhabi Food Hub (ADFH) to establish a strong and recurring demand base for ADFH members and position ADFH as a relevant food trading and sourcing destination in the UAE and the wider GCC. Transition ADFH from an initial tenant-focused market activation model into a buyer-oriented trading ecosystem where buyers increasingly recognize ADFH as a preferred destination for sourcing, supplier discovery, product access, and commercial engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Buyer Development & Acquisition
- Build and manage the UAE buyer universe for ADFH.
- Develop relationships with priority food buyers and decision-makers.
- Establish relationships with relevant decision-makers and understand buyer requirements and demand patterns.
- Drive buyer acquisition and activation across all key food channels.
- Develop a structured UAE buyer universe and translate buyer insights into commercial opportunities for ADFH.
- Maintain a high-quality buyer pipeline and CRM.
- Capture and communicate buyer intelligence.
Market Activation & Commercial Execution
- Develop and execute tenant–buyer matching and market activation programmes.
- Convert buyer relationships into meetings, sourcing opportunities, enquiries and transactions.
- Facilitate tenant–buyer matchmaking.
- Lead buyer-focused market activation initiatives.
- Generate commercial opportunities for ADFH tenants.
- Support tenant success and retention through market access.
Strategic Development
- Contribute to the development of ADFH as a major food trading and sourcing ecosystem.
- Develop the buyer-side network required to support ADFH's tenant acquisition and tenant-success strategy.
- Establish ADFH as a relevant destination for UAE/GCC food buyers.
- Help transition ADFH from a supply/tenant-led activation model towards a progressively buyer-led market.
- Identify strategic market opportunities that can strengthen ADFH's competitive positioning.
- Support the development of a sustainable ecosystem in which increasing buyer density creates additional value for existing and future tenants.
- Ensure buyer development activity is aligned with ADFH's overall commercial strategy.
Team Leadership
- Lead, coach and develop the Buyer Development team.
- Establish clear objectives, KPIs and accountabilities for team members.
- Build a culture focused on market presence, commercial execution, relationship development and measurable outcomes.
- Review team performance and ensure effective pipeline management.
- Develop capabilities in buyer research, account management, market activation and commercial conversion.
- Coordinate effectively with other ADFH commercial and operational functions.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Supply Chain, Food Business, Economics, Commerce or a related discipline.
- A postgraduate qualification or MBA is advantageous but not mandatory.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge of CRM, account management and business-development tools.
- Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.