Marketing Assistant - IKEA

Job description / Role

One of the companies bearing Al-Futtaim name is IKEA.

IKEA is the world's largest home furnishings store, founded in Sweden over 60 years ago. At IKEA not only our furniture is down to earth, straightforward and inspiring, but so is our work ethics. Despite being the leading home furnishing retail franchisee across the world, we at IKEA still give you the room to grow!

At IKEA creating a better everyday life for the many isn't only our vision, it's our way of life! The role will be responsible for applying the IKEA concept & global solution, together with our country business priorities, knowledge of the national and local markets, competition, and peoples' life at home to achieve the optimum result. With the main task of providing support of Arabic translation in general.

IKEA CONCEPT

* Actively support the IKEA Concept, global communication and media strategy.
* Oversee translation and localization of relevant content in IKEA external communication.
* Provide feedback on effectiveness and communicate new needs to the local team in order to support future development of the IKEA marketing strategy and concept.

CATALOGUE PRODUCTION

* Work with the catalogue team to ensure correct adaptation of the IKEA catalogue Arabic versions to local markets.
* This includes price setting in Arabic and proofreading of texts and copy.
* Ensuring that the catalogues are updated with the correct national and local content of our different markets such as: IKEA website URL/country.
* Responsible along with the catalogue team on setting the time plan in coordination with IKEA Communications AB, Sweden and the external translation agency and that all deadlines are timely met.

CATALOGUE DISTRIBUTION

* Assist Catalogue team with catalogue distribution to our primary markets and catalogue distribution areas (PMAs and CDAs).
* Review the market along with the catalogue team and the catalogue distribution supplier in terms of occupancy rates, demographics, more accurate language split and new areas that can be added to the CDA.
* Works with the market research company as needed to carry out targeted research to help us better understand how to grow our customer base.

TRANSLATION

* Responsible for the translation and proofreading of Arabic materials from Inter-IKEA Systems BV, Netherlands.
* Translates into English all Arabic Inter Service Office materials from other Arab markets.
* Translates IKEA range brochures (English to Arabic).
* Responsible that whatever Arabic wordings are used in external communication will be in sync with what the stores are using e.g. tagline and head line texts.
* Assist in proofreading and approval of the Arabic print media ads as well as the Arabic radio ads.

STORE SUPPORT

* Working with the store teams to ensure they make effective use of the catalogue to drive traffic to the store and promote the commercial calendar.
* Point of contact for any Customer issues relevant to Catalogue and escalation point of error handling/case management to relevant support units

PROJECTS

* Support with the Regional Expansion Plans whenever necessary including Commercial planning, build up and opening phases.
* Support with improving current ways of working and business practices.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

* Experience of media communication and marketing communication techniques.
* Knowledge of IKEA Product Range would be highly appreciated.
* Experience using MS Office, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.

Minimum Experience:

* Time spent in a high volume retail environment.
* 2 years in a similar role.
* Experience of using knowledge of consumer behaviour to develop effective communication.

Job-Specific Skills:

* Excellent language and proofreading kills in both English and Arabic, with attention to details.

Behavioural Competencies :

* Interpersonal Skills, Business Acumen, Problem Solving, Confident, Leadership Skills and Strategic Thinking.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.