Asst. Merchandiser (Planning) | Retail | M&S | UAE|

Job Requisition ID: 175638 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview Of The Role:

• The Assistant Merchandiser plays a crucial role in supporting the Senior Merchandiser and Merchandiser of the business unit. The role involves analytical responsibilities such as producing and analyzing reports to recommend actionable strategies, assisting in product selection and planning, and ensuring the effective updating and managing of data. This position requires strong collaboration skills to liaise with store teams, provide first-point-of-contact service for stock issues, and contribute to broader strategic planning for catalogues and product ranges. Success in this role is marked by the ability to maintain optimum stock levels and provide data-driven insights that enhance buying decisions.

What You Will Do:

Allocation Process

• Manage accurate BTF setting and ratio balancing.
• Guide and train allocators.
• Manage and implement AI Allocation solution from Invent Analytics.
• Liaise with stores to understand regional needs, ensuring optimum stock levels and correct size availability.
• Improve availability and sell through in stores.

Business Reports and Analysis

• Generate accurate and clear business reports.
• Maintain reporting processes and generate promotion tracking.
• Analyze weekly trade reports and recommend action points.
• Report and flag best/worst sellers, analyze customer habits, and understand product choices.
• Produce and analyze seasonal sales and recommend future buying decisions.

Catalogue Buying

• Assist Senior Merchandiser/Merchandiser in Catalogue Buying process.
• Maintain Core Buying sheet and implement Demand Planning solution.
• Enter buying quantities into IBT/Digital Range Building system.
• Prepare planograms using DRB and make comparisons against LY/Buying Budget/Promotional calendar.
• Contribute to BU strategy with market awareness and product appreciation.

Communication

• Act as first point of contact for stores on stock issues and assist in weekly trade communications.
• Contribute to planning for retail conference and digital transformation strategy.
• Provide accurate information for business users and ensure online product data is customer friendly.
• Maintain strong relationships with Principals and ensure comprehensive regional offers.

Leading People

• Communicate strategic objectives clearly and work to SMART goals.
• Provide coaching for team development and succession planning with HRBP.
• Role model Al-Futtaim Way Behaviours and M&S Values.
• Engage in quality PDR processes to ensure high team engagement and development.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Strong analytical and numerical skills with attention to detail.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Excel and reporting tools.
• Excellent communication and collaborative skills.
• Capability to manage and train team members effectively.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in fashion buying and merchandising at the assistant or allocator level.
• Experience in a retail buying environment in MENA and/or Europe, with an understanding of UK/European brands.
• Strong proficiency in Excel and familiarity with SAP is an additional advantage.

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in Retail across the Middle East, Africa & Asia over the past 30 years. We have developed partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected Brands in the world including IKEA, ACE and Toys R Us in the Middle East and the Inditex Group of Brands (Zara, Mango, Bershka and P&B) across Asia. We are also one of the largest Global partners of Marks and Spencer’s in both regions with over 75 stores offering both fashion & food options.
 
Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse workforce which includes over 100 nationalities across 12 countries. Join us today and make a difference…