General Manager - Luxury (Retail)

Job description / Role

General Manager - Luxury Retail - Dubai

An established Middle East Retail Group is seeking a General Manager for their luxury division. Responsible for managing retail sales and customer experience in line with the overall business objectives and brand-specific requirements of the Principals; assisting in the definition of a brand portfolio strategy for Retail BU generally and the Fashion product category in particular key responsibilities and strategic responsibilities:
* Participate in the development of the Group strategy by providing input from the perspective of the Fashion Division, ensuring that relevant goals and objectives are incorporated.
* Support the CEO in developing and implementing a comprehensive business and brand portfolio strategy.
* Establish both monthly and annual sales objectives of the Fashion Division in line with Retail BU's overall sales targets.
* Develop overall budget in coordination with the CEO and respective Functional Heads; consolidate and refine the overall budget for the Fashion Division, and enforce its implementation Functional Responsibilities Business

Development:
* Identify brands to include in the portfolio; monitor performance of existing brands to ensure an optimal mix of brands and their profitability within the Retail BU for continuous growth and discuss it with the CEO
* Report to the CEO Retail the business performance of the Fashion product category and brand portfolios of the Division.
* Oversee that the highest levels of quality in the look and feel of the stores is applied and is in line with the Principal requirements, and that continued, timely, and efficient support is provided by the Operations Team.
* Oversee that the highest levels of customer service is implemented in the business with continued compliance to internal and Principals requirements.
* Oversee the appropriate level of security and stock control to minimize in-store shrinkage and theft.
* Direct the highest level of professionalism across each one of Retail BU's stores by overseeing recruitment, training, management and career development of retail store staff.
* Conduct regular store visits to ensure the highest levels of store performance, management, staffing levels, customer service, back-store management, cleanliness and overall look and feel.
* Supervise low-performing stores and brands to drive quick, sustained and effective turnaround in performance.

Logistics Management:
* Supervise end-to-end logistics processes, in coordination with the Logistics and Warehouse functions at the corporate, ensuring continued visibility on stock levels, shipments and accurate and timely distribution of goods and products to the BUs retail stores.

Marketing:
* Monitor developed marketing plans and campaigns for the different brand in the Fashion Division to support business objectives in line with the guidelines of the Corporate and Retail Marketing & Communications as well as the principal requirements.

Merchandising:
* Facilitate continuous coordination with the Merchandising function at the Retail BU to plan each store's season's collection and jointly identify the optimal product mix to ensure profitable sales within store's target positioning.

Principal Liaison:
* Establish and maintain strong working relationships with respective Principals, ensuring that the Fashion Division operates within specified brand-specific requirements and standards, as well as ensuring compliance with any business performance reporting requirements
* Oversee the implementation of the Visual Merchandising strategies and plans, in coordination with the Visual Merchandising team, for the brands within the Fashion Division stores; ensure in-store visual merchandising across each brand in the Fashion Division is in alignment with principal requirements
* Provide leadership and direction to subordinates towards the achievement of goals and objectives.
* Guide and motivate subordinates to enhance performance and produce quality work, and ensure that they are continuously developed for higher level roles.
* Prepare performance evaluation and appraisal reports of direct reports to assess subordinates productivity and progress and identify training needs of team members to improve efficiency and ensure conformity with standard procedures and practices.
* Communicate any organizational changes and mitigate risks through effective change management.

Requirements

* Graduate or Post Graduate Degree, preferably in the field of Business Management with prior work experience in Retail Management.
* Minimum 10 to 15 years' experience in retail required, with a minimum of 5 years' experience in managing a portfolio of luxury Fashion retail stores.

Functional Skills:
* Must have a strong knowledge in the Sales and Marketing aspects of a Retail business as well as retailing.
* Must have good leadership qualities.
* Excellent/high level networking skills to build and maintain relationships with key accounts and Principal/stakeholders/business partners.
* Proficient in English language; Arabic would be an advantage.
* Should be able to communicate effectively and have excellent negotiation skills.
* Should be able to lead, develop and motivate teams.
* Ability to build and drive performing teams.

SR Group is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

About the Company

Carter Murray is a specialist recruitment consultancy specialising in the placement of marketing professionals into professional services firms, the financial services sector, multi-national corporations and global brands from our offices in London, Dubai and Sydney. Carter Murray is a member of The SR Group, a specialist global recruitment consultancy founded in 1987, operating in the niche markets of Taxation, Legal, HR and Marketing recruitment. From the worlds largest companies to small owner-managed businesses, we recruit at all levels for a complete cross-section of clients. Our clients include the full range of UK and international professional services firms and financial services companies. We recognise that they expect an exceptional level of service and a real knowledge of todays highly specialised market.Each of our consultants personally manages their own clients and specialises in specific areas of this key marketplace. We take the time to really understand both parties needs and provide focused and consistent advice.