Brand Manager

Job description / Role

Financial:
- Lead the brand’s growth in current and new markets based on business development plans and market analysis
- Establish buying strategy with the Operations Manager and agree on strategies for product selection
- Regularly monitor brand performance and interpret and translate analysis into strategic and operational plans
- Recommend new locations for shops in coordination with Operations Manager and General Manager
- Establish seasonal/annual budgets and targets in coordination with the Operations Manager
- Lead shop managers and sales advisors to ensure sales and profit targets are attained while maintaining applicable standards
- Regularly review sales, rotation and loss standards, ensuring financial awareness and cost control
- Analyze and manage P&L reports monthly and other financial KPI's and suggest corrective action to ensure achievement of profitability targets. Proactively establish action plans to address missed targets
- Manage profit margins by planning of full-price and mark down sales, intake margins, levels of mark-down activity and terminal stock and reforecast on a continuous basis throughout the plan period
- Strive to maximize retail sales and profitability of all outlets within the brand’s region of operations

Customer:
- Regularly review consumer, competitor, and market trends in order to create growth opportunities and initiatives
- Responsible for product procurement to supplement gaps in host brand offer, through developing own supplier relationships
- Contribute to and implement the marketing strategy for the brand and its products (including pricing and promotion), in line with brand and company business objectives
- Plan and lead product launches and new initiatives, including launch meetings, sales planning sessions and communication tools for sales team
- Work to increase brand loyalty through customer outreach, promotions, and overall brand strategy
- Contribute to brand marketing plan and maintain working relationship with media agencies to increase brand and product recognition and sales regionally
- Maintain effective communication with brand head office, suppliers, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure operational requirements are managed efficiently and within set time-frame
- Effectively manage communication and strong relationships with all internal stakeholders (operations, sales, finance, etc.)
- Maintain highest standards of professional conduct, ethics, and integrity

Internal Business Processes:
- Supervise the design of the shop in compliance with design manual and brand standards
- Establish and adhere to schedules for travel and store visits to inspect operations, pricing, and display for compliance with set standards
- Analyze stock rotation to maintain acceptable stock levels, optimize full-price sales, and plan efficiently for the sale period in coordination with Operations Manager
- Set and adhere to stock management plan (including Open To Buy), ordering, allocation and replenishment based on delivery and distribution of merchandise, building stock for peak selling periods, and mitigating terminal stock
- Identify issues with operational processes and communicate those to the Operations Manager to make improvements
- Maintain consistent operating standards in accordance with the brand requirements and operational policies and procedures

Learning and Growth:
- Coordinate with marketing function to develop and increase brand social media presence to increase brand favorability and attractiveness to targeted demographics
- Coordinate with Human Resources to resolve employee relations questions, communicate recruitment requirements, and identify learning and development needs
- Lead sales team to maximize their potential and maintain a highly productive work environment
- Coach, develop and mentor own team and effectively manage host brand relations and coordination with other functional areas of the Business
- Conduct regular store visits in person and regularly follow-up and monitor floor operations
- Monitor performance of employees and achievement of financial, people, operational, and other goals and work to address any gaps
- Maintain high ethical standards in dealings with Management, employees, brands, suppliers, vendors, and other parties
- Ensure high standards of confidentiality to safeguard commercially sensitive information

Requirements

- University degree in Business Administration or similar field from a recognized university
- 7-9 years of experience in the fashion retail industry of which 3 years are in a senior management role preferably in the GCC

Competencies:

Technical:
- Brand Management
- Business Acumen
- Communication (Verbal, Written)
- Computer and Software Literacy
- Financial Reporting and Budgeting
- Logistics and Supply Chain
- Presentation
- Relevant laws and regulations
- Research
- Retail Operations
- Sales Management
- Vendor Management

Behavioral:
- Analytical Ability
- Flexibility
- Independence
- Leadership
- Negotiation and Influencing
- Personal Motivation
- Planning and Organizing
- Proactivity
- Process Excellence
- Productivity
- Teamwork
- Time Management

About the Company

Al Mana is one of the largest and most diversified groups in the region, operating over 55 companies in 8 countries and employing over 3500 personnel. Industries that we operate in include automotive distribution and services, real estate and investments, retail and luxury fashion, F&B, engineering, technology, media and entertainment. The group covers most areas of retail including luxury goods, beauty, fashion, home interiors, watches and jewellery. Operating over 300 outlets, Al Mana represents some of the largest and most successful brands in the world.