Planning Manager| Al-Futtaim Automotive | BYD | KSA

Job Requisition ID: 169402 

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.

<span 72="">Overview of the role:

 
As the Planning Manager You will always maintain a focus on our overall profitability, ensuring the right level of supportive interrogation of our brand, model and mix level planning, whilst in parallel laying down the foundations and structure for better processes and governance.

<span 72="">What you will do:    

• Develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts based on historical data, market trends, and industry insights
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to understand demand drivers and incorporate market intelligence into forecasting models
• Work closely with senior management to develop sales strategies aligned with business objectives and market dynamics
• Monitor sales performance against forecasts and targets, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions as necessary
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations teams to align forecasting efforts with production planning, inventory management, and financial planning processes
• Conduct thorough market analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and growth opportunities
• Continuously evaluate and enhance sales planning and forecasting processes, leveraging automation, data analytics, and best practices
• Prepare and present sales forecasts, performance reports, and insights to senior management and key stakeholders
• Support special projects and initiatives related to sales planning, forecasting, and business development, as assigned
• Implement the Automotive Division’s monthly sales, production and stock planning to look for opportunities to improve sales and mix: optimizing revenue opportunities and mitigating any risks
• Support and contribute to a shift towards more predictive, data led planning and forecasting, in turn driving more profitable decisions and better stock ordering/handling
• Deliver a central intelligence suite for all Al Futtaim Automotive brands to drive consistency and rigor to sales planning and forecasting across Al Futtaim owned brands and competitor brands

Market Forecasting & Insights

• Run and maintain the models and data to facilitate accurate and effective forecasting and planning, with central suites of reporting and intelligence for the Al Futtaim Automotive brands
• Be an active contributor to the distribution of intelligence material(s) and engage the brand teams (notably Sales Planning) on all topics related to volumes and forecasts
• Ensure consistency (format, depth, accuracy) in the creation of reports and intelligence across all of Al Futtaim Automotive
• Ensure consistency (format, depth, accuracy) in the creation and submission of volume forecasts across all of Al Futtaim Automotive, ensuring rigorous questioning and analysis of forecasts vs budget and quarterly target positions (including sustainable action plans where required to rectify deviations)
• Initiate and lead discussions with key stakeholders across the business units to develop and execute actions to grow sales revenue and mitigate risks
• Drive and evolve insightful market / competitor and economic reporting, demonstrating a significant depth of knowledge and increasing the quality of information available to key stakeholders
• Lead the research and analysis of vehicle markets to deliver accurate forecasting of competitor actions and market trends in relation to sales planning, forecasting and stock actions – identifying risks and opportunities for the Automotive Division and business units
• Prepare regular sales reports and presentations for senior management, highlighting key performance metrics, sales trends, and opportunities for growth.

Budget Planning Cycle & Quarterly Reforecasts

• Work across the Automotive Division to agree the economic and market forecasts broken down by segment and subsegment + provide guidance / planning templates for the business units to undertake their short/mid term volume planning
• Analyse business unit planning sales volumes and challenge the sales planning teams in order to optimise vehicle mix, profitability, production and stock. Contribute to the annual budget sales planning process across the division, providing clear direction and controls that influence the annual budget setting
• Optimise and maintain documents/files/materials in relation to managing the consistent planning structure and governance for budget and planning cycle

• Work with stakeholders across Al Futtaim Automotive on shifts to more predictive, automated and accurate planning capability through better data utilization and models (with external support where required)

Planning & Process Management

• Provide regular sales forecasts and sales, production and stock reports to senior management for performance tracking purposes
• Assess business unit sales opportunities and risks using sales and stock simulations.  The purpose is to identify revenue growth opportunities and risks, achieve ideal stock indices and reduce aging stock
• Implement process change and improved data capability across the Al Futtaim Automotive brands to enable a shift towards predictive forecasting, working collaboratively with stakeholders to access the data, analyse, model and activate automated/semi-automated models/intelligence

<span 72="">Required skills to be successful:

• Knowledge of predictive forecasting models and automation methodologies for sales planning
• Performance reporting and visualization (including underlying data integrity)
• Excellent analytical skills, with strong attention to detail to identify key trends
• Focus on driving commercial results through the management of intelligent and measurable KPIs
• Strong oral and written communication skills with proven ability to influence others and negotiate outcomes
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Self-starter with the ability to take ideas from creation to delivery through a complex organization
• Strong influencing, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent commercial acumen and awareness; including automotive market trends and emerging consumer trends

<span 72="">About the Team:
 

<span 72="">The Pricing Manager will be reporting to the Pricing Manager.

<span 72="">What equips you for the role:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in pricing/costing function essential).
• Bachelor’s in accounting or similar fields
• <span 72="">Strong communicational skills.
• <span 72="">Self-motivated, Analytical, Team Player
• <span 72="">Experience in Automotive is a plus.

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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.

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