Operations Manager

Job description / Role

To recruit, lead and develop a team of Store Managers, that provides strategic leadership, motivation and direction to their respective teams through result focused delivery. Responsible for Retail Store Standards to be at the highest level and to drive continuous improvement in all aspects of Store Operations that provides the customer with an ‘outstanding’ shopping experience.

• Achieving Sales targets through a Pro-active Commercial Agenda. Developing and planning new business and initiatives that drives overall sales and business improvement.
• To identify and generate profit improvement opportunities, as well as preventing all forms of lost profit through effective checking and control processes.
• Establish sales budgets for presentation and discussion with the Retail Director.
• Develop a Sales led retail team, focused on delivering the Result Focused goals of the business.
• Analyse business reports and provide the direction for corrective action where required.
• Providing critical analytical feedback on store performance at the Weekly / Monthly Trading Reviews together with the Retail Director and Merchandisers.
• In conjunction with Merchandisers, analyse each individual stores performance in relation to Sales / Space / Sales mix and Density.
• Maintaining commercial layouts in each store, flexing according to seasons.
• To ensure that the Territories Inventory is in the right place, at the right time, in the right volume to maximise sales and minimise markdown and terminal stocks.
• In conjunction with Merchandisers, ensure Stores stock packages are graded and replenished according to the Stores commercial strengths and weaknesses and appropriate to local market.
• Promotional opportunities / events are driven to ensure the highest possible return on investment.
• Event Trading – Identifying and driving key date / product events to maximize sales and sell through.
• Previous regional exposure (GCC) with experience in handling different brands, teams

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ yrs
• A strategic thinker
• Driven to achieve results
• Demonstrates good commercial sense
• Persuasive and able to exercise a high degree of influence
• Effective at time management and able to balance multiple competing priorities
• Self starter and ability to sustain a high level of energy
• An effective manager and motivator of people
• A strategic thinker who sees the big picture, but is flexible in the way forward
• Challenger of the status-quo
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity relating to multi-nationalities
• High level of interpersonal expertise and English communication both written and oral
• Ambassador of Brand Values as it applies to the Stores

About the Company

Majid Al Futtaim Fashion provides a platform for the introduction of world-class fashion and retail brands in the region, developing their presence across the Middle East. Their aim is to be the international retail partner of choice for some of the worlds most desirable brands. The Company believes the strength of a brands success is through the focus of its people. Having the right retail structure, with the right people, ensures that a brands integrity is maintained to the highest level and that the customer experience is aligned to global standards.

The leading retail arm of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, Majid Al Futtaim Fashion has the rights to operate the internationally renowned Juicy Couture brand throughout the region. Juicy Couture is one of the most popular casual luxury brands in the Middle East and continues to be a retail success with over 18 stores currently open across the region and further plans to expand the into new markets in 2014.

Other brands operated by Majid Al Futtaim Fashion include one of the UKs leading fashion retailers Jane Norman, the metropolitan casual lifestyle brand Mexx and ITSUGAR the US confectionary brand with an attitude.

The eclectic Spanish brand Hoss Intropia, and the iconic fashion brand Halston Heritage, were recently added to Majid Al Futtaim Fashions portfolio. Tremendous demand for both brands is anticipated this year with an aggressive rollout of new stores planned throughout the region.

In early 2013, Majid Al Futtaim Fashion announced a joint ventures agreement with the leading American retailer and casual wear clothing brand, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F), with respect to its Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch brands. The agreement is to develop Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitchs presence within the UAE, further supporting the brands international growth. As Abercrombie & Fitch Co.s first physical foray into the Middle East, the landmark joint venture partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion should significantly broaden A&Fs regional potential across the GCC, further adding to the regions offering of exceptional market leading international brands.