Assistant Brand Manager - Retail

Job description / Role

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

Overview of the role:

The Assistant Brand Manager is responsible for supporting top-line performance and consistent operational excellence and brand compliance across all stores. The role works directly with the Brand Manager in creating and implementing the brand strategy.

The Job Holder will work closely with the Brand Manager and will work with multiple stakeholders including Fashion Senior Management, Brand Leadership and the wider supporting teams. The holder should be able to create and hold senior meetings and stand in for the brand manager when they are not available.

What you will do:

Delivering Top Line Performance
- Supports in creating the overall brand strategy and implementing it.
- Ensuring operational standards for all stores in visual merchandising, stock availability, customer service and security whilst ensuring brand integrity.

Brand Growth & Development (Buying)
- The role holder will be accountable for the coordination and management of the Buy alongside the product feedback. They should ensure regular feedback from the stores supports each selection to ensure a positive customer reaction.
- The holder should be able to manage the Buy independently, with direct contact with the principal and with suppliers. (Travel required)

People
- Coach and mentor all store managers and ensure robust succession and training plans are in place for each store. Evaluate and develop all high-potential employees.
- Act as a role model for the Al-Futtaim Way and brand-specific behaviors.

Corporate & Brand
- Promote brand and corporate values throughout the operations team. Ensure consistent ways of working across all stores.
- Ensure stores comply with all legislation, regulation and corporate governance.
- Regularly and proactively communicates with the brand to establish and maintain a strong working relationship and partnership.
- In partnership with the brand, work with the principle to resolve issues and deliver opportunities for the delivery of current and future commercial priorities.

Business Growth & New Markets
- Support market entry and growth with store opening projects with corporate and principal-provided resources, ensuring compliance with legislation and brand requirements.
- Responsible for all strategic operational plans including new territories.

Requirements

What equips you for the role:

- Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:
- Education: University-level graduate .

Minimum Experience and Knowledge:

- Minimum 3 years of Retail fashion experience is preferred although a passion for fashion is a MUST.

Job-Specific/Technical Skills required to complete the tasks:

- Strategic planning and analytical skills, All Microsoft Office Programs.

Behavioral Competencies & Interpersonal Skills:

Strong communication skills, confident decision maker, leadership skills and strategic thinking. Keeps up to date with the latest trends and brands, Strong sales focus and is eager to learn.

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in Retail across the Middle East, Africa & 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 P&B) 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 & 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...

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.