Assistant Merchandise Planning Manager

Overview of the role:

The assistant planning manager supports the planning function in developing accurate financial, sales, and inventory plans across all channels and markets. This role assists in forecasting sales, margin, markdown, and inventory requirements, enabling strong business performance and efficient stock management. The assistant planning manager partners closely with merchandising, allocation, retail, and supply chain teams to ensure plans are aligned and executed accurately.

What you will do:

Description of accountability:

Business plan and delivery of key KPIs

• Responsible for planning annual business plan by market and business unit
• Deliver weekly WSSI for clothing & home, food, and total business
• Execute markdown management

Sales & financial planning

• Support the development of seasonal and annual sales plans by market, store, category, and channel (retail, e-commerce, omnichannel)
• Assist in building weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales forecasts, incorporating past performance, trends, and business drivers
• Prepare financial projections for gross profit, gross margin, markdown, and inventory
• Track performance versus plan and highlight risks or opportunities

Business unit sales planning

• Support planning manager in business unit sales planning by season, incorporating new product strategies, forward-looking initiatives, and potential sales gaps from previous year
• Monitor performance against plan, identifying risks, opportunities, and corrective actions to optimize seasonal results

Markdown & price optimization

• Support markdown planning, price phasing, and promotional analysis
• Track sell-through and aging stock to recommend timely markdown actions
• Partner with merchandising to ensure markdown strategy protects margin while achieving sell-through targets

Reporting & analysis

• Prepare weekly and monthly business performance reports including sales, margin, stock, and KPIs
• Analyze product, category, and store performance to support strategic decisions
• Identify business risks and provide insight-driven recommendations

Cross-functional collaboration

• Support finance in validating forecasts and financial submissions
• Work with buying and merchandising team on weekly business unit and department level planning

System & process support

• Maintain accurate planning data and product hierarchies in reporting systems
• Develop templates, dashboards, and presentations for planning reviews

Required skills to be successful:

• Analytical thinking and attention to detail
• Strong financial and commercial acumen
• Data interpretation and problem-solving
• Collaboration and cross-functional alignment
• Proactive decision making
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills

What equips you for the role:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, retail management, or related field
• 3–5 years of experience in merchandise planning, financial planning, or retail analysis, preferably in fashion or multi-category retail
• Strong analytical and numerical skills, proficient in Excel and reporting tools
• Experience with planning systems (e.g., JDA, Power BI, Tableau, SAP, or similar)
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced retail environment

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in retail across the Middle East, Africa, and 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 Pull & Bear) 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 and 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.