Lingerie Merchandiser (Planning Merchandising) | Retail | Marks & Spencer | UAE

Job Requisition ID: 170217 

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.

Lingerie Merchandiser is responsible for identifying & delivering a range appropriate to the region, whilst working with the UK to ensure product & pricing strategy are correct and relevant for the MENA region and there by achieve the Key Business KPI’s of Sales, Cash Margin, Markdown Cost and Closing Stock.

What you will do: -

Description of Accountability:

BUSINESS PLAN AND DELIVERY OF KEY KPI’s

• Continuously search for Business Opportunities to increase Sales and
• Cash Margin
• In depth knowledge of BU, Markets operated in and Key Competitor’s
• Recommends & produces analysis to make good forward planning decisions
• Maintains BU WSSI

SALES AND OTB PLANNING

• Assists & supports senior merchandiser with planning appropriate Sales and Cash Margin by Department/Range/store
• Assists in planning appropriate Space for each Department/ Range in
• each Store
• Assists in planning appropriate OTB and Options by T Department/Range
• Cut OTB: Core v Fashion Flow v Fashion
• Assist in planning appropriate e-Commerce Buy

RANGE DETAIL PLANNING

• Management of Core Template to size level to drive Core Availability
• Size Cut analysis & recommendation by Department/ Market
• Plan appropriate Good/ Better/ Best Offer
• Sufficient Volume on Key OPP’S
• Appropriate Colour Balance
• Authoritative Product Statements on Hero Product

PRODUCT SELECTION

• Detailed Preparation for UK Buying Fairs
• Assist in developing a clear IBO Strategy
• Confident Product Selection and Range Balancing
• Ensure buys are in line with the shop visual plan strategy
• Opportunity Buys to Support Marketing Strategy
• Spend Control
• Margin Optimization
• Right balance of core & fashion

TRADE

• Attend weekly team meeting and suggest actions to drive business
• Prepare Weekly Store Communication (GM Action News)
• Manage Allocation Blueprint
• Manage Replenishment Strategy by Type of Product/ Market
• Recommend consolidations to the Senior merchandiser
• Assist in implementation of a robust Promotional Calendar
• Assist in implementation of a robust Innovations Communication
• Ensure Opening Price Points well executed and Messaged In-Store
• Effective Markdown Management – controlling Shop in Shop
• Statements but clearing Seasonal Lines

MARKET AWARENESS

• Conduct Quarterly Comp Shops
• Report on Key Actions to remain Price Competitive
• Report on Key Missed Opportunities
• Assist in conducting Bi – annual SWOT with Store Champions
• Engage in store visits

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Build Good Relationships with colleagues within M&S
• Build good relationships with M&S Operations Team, VM Team and Marketing Team
• Build good working relationship with UK

LEADING  PEOPLE

• Guide & train Assistant merchandiser & allocator to develop into the next role
• Be involved in appraisals

Required Skills to be successful:

• Able to handle Complexity
• Excellent Planning and Organizing Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Highly Numerate
• Product Confident
• Good Communicator
• Optimistic Attitude
• Works at Pace with an Impatience to get things Done
• Cultural Awareness
• Womenswear or Middle East Experience preferred
• Graduate or Graduate Calibre
• Good working knowledge of Excel
• Knowledge of SAP an additional advantage

What equips you for the role:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years experience in Fashion Buying and Merchandising

• Excellent in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook)
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-national organization
• Detail-oriented and reliable
• Fluent in English; knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage
• Analysis and troubleshooting

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.