Food Department Manager / Duty Manager | Retail | M&S | UAE

Job Requisition ID: 169891 

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 A”rab 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 organisation 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.

• The Duty Manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations, ensuring customer service excellence, efficient stock management, and compliance with company procedures and legal requirements. They lead and motivate department staff, manage store operations including openings and closings, and handle cash reconciliation. Duty Managers collaborate with the Operations Team Lead to optimize sales and operational efficiency. Success in this role is reflected in exceeding sales targets, fostering team engagement, and maintaining high customer satisfaction.

Team Leadership

• Lead, motivate, and inspire a high-performing team to meet and exceed sales targets.
• Foster a positive and collaborative team environment, ensuring staff are motivated, engaged, and equipped with skills and knowledge.
• Conduct regular team meetings, one-on-ones, and performance reviews to provide feedback, set goals, and encourage team development.
• Ensure the team is properly trained on product knowledge, customer service standards, and store policies.
• Manage store operations during key times, including openings, closings, and cash counting, particularly in larger stores.
• Ensure smooth transitions between shifts, maintaining operational efficiency and store standards.
• Handle key administrative tasks such as cash reconciliation and ensuring accurate store financial records.

Customer Service

• Ensure all team members deliver exceptional customer service and create a positive shopping experience for every customer.
• Actively engage with customers on the sales floor to provide assistance, handle queries, and resolve any issues promptly.
• Lead by example, demonstrating best practices in customer interactions, upselling, and product recommendations.

Stock Management

• Oversee the efficient management of stock, ensuring accurate stock levels, timely replenishment, and well-organized inventory.
• Manage inventory transfers, ensuring that stock is moved and tracked appropriately across the store.
• Monitor and implement the replenishment app, ensuring stock is replenished to maintain availability on the sales floor.
• Conduct regular gap scanning and cyclic counts to ensure accuracy in stock levels, minimize loss, and optimize inventory turnover.

Compliance and Standards

• Implement and uphold the company's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and operational standards across all customer touchpoints, including Clothing, Food, and Cafe.
• Ensure the department is compliant with all Trading Safety, legal, and health & safety regulations.
• Regularly review and communicate SOPs to the team, ensuring policies are consistently followed and best practices are adhered to.

Sales and Profit

• Work with the store leadership team to set and achieve sales targets, continually driving the department's performance.
• Analyse sales data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Develop action plans to maximize sales and profitability.
• Optimize staffing levels based on sales floor traffic and customer demand.

Visual Merchandising Collaboration

• Conduct weekly walks with the VM team to review store displays, merchandising strategies, and product placement.
• Offer input on commercial decisions and provide feedback on how merchandising can better support sales objectives.

• Ability to lead and motivate a team with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, handle challenging situations, and multitask.
• Analytical skills to review performance reports and take proactive commercial actions.

• Proven experience in retail management or a leadership role, preferably with exposure to Clothing, Food, or Cafe operations.
• Strong understanding of stock management, including inventory transfers, replenishment apps, and cyclic counts.
• Knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and legal compliance in retail, especially regarding Trading Safety and health regulations.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, capable of motivating and engaging staff.

We’re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.