Assistant Store Manager | Retail | Watsons | Bahrain

Job Requisition ID: 180461 

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 Store Manager is responsible for planning, controlling, and directing the store team to achieve high standards of customer service and in-store execution. The role involves driving profitable sales performance, analyzing sales figures to inform business decisions, and effectively communicating to influence team performance. The Assistant Store Manager manages store operations, financial dimensions, and ensures compliance with operational standards. Success is measured by the ability to meet and exceed sales targets, maintain budgetary controls, and enhance customer satisfaction.

What You Will Do:

Profit Financial

• Drive, monitor, and review sales performance; recommend action plans to meet sales budget goals at the store level.
• Conduct monthly meetings focusing on category sales performance with the selling personnel to update on performance and recommend improvements.
• Implement strategies for 100% execution of all programs to achieve sales targets of EXCLUSIVE products; submit feedback on promo effectiveness.
• Manage and control store-approved OPEX budgets (e.g., utilities, wrap supply, staff costs) and recommend plans to optimize controllable expenses.
• Achieve shrinkage budget below tolerance level through daily monitoring of Retail Operating Standards Compliance.
• Drive, monitor, and review sales performance, and recommend action plans to deliver agreed sales budgets.

Commercial

• Check and review implementation of display and timely replenishment of stocks.
• Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely inventory adjustments and cycle counts.
• Comply consistently with Brand of Service Standards when dealing with customers.
• Ensure customers' shopping experience exceeds expectations.
• Handle customer product queries and complaints professionally, adhering to standards.
• Drive loyalty members' programs and initiatives to achieve target transaction participation.
• Promote and drive selling techniques to achieve target conversion/transaction rate.
• Cascades ongoing promotions and activities following standard guidelines.
• Validate proper implementation and execution of promotional activities.

Process

• Ensure policies, brand standards, grooming guidelines, and internal control procedures are communicated and implemented per SOP.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills and understanding of the system and reporting.
• Monitor store controllable expenses, supervise loss prevention, asset protection, and risk management, and oversee inventory management.
• Liaise with mall management and handle store documentation appropriately, including daily reports and cashier duties.
• Ensure Planogram implementation and standard operations compliance.

People

• Plan and monitor Personal Development Plans and in-role development interventions.
• Identify, implement, and monitor team learning interventions.
• Review and discuss performance appraisals and personal plans of direct reports.
• Implement action plans for employee engagements and competency building.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Exceptional customer service orientation.
• Effective communication and empathy towards customers and team.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Bachelor or Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience in retail and team management.
• Good knowledge of the fashion/beauty industry and trends.
• Proven retail operational skills (stock, VM, systems, cash handling).

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…