General Manager - Merchandising

Job description / Role

We are Chalhoub Group, a leading family business in the world of beauty, fashion and gifts. We have blended our Middle East expertise and intimate knowledge of luxury to offer service excellence to all our partners and a unique experience to all our customers for over 60 years

As we continue to grow, it's our vision to become a hybrid retailer, bringing luxury experiences to the fingertips of customers everywhere.

Our passionate teams drive our vision forward, without them, we couldn't create luxury experiences for our customers. Through opportunities, development and support, we empower each and every employee to achieve their career goals - and beyond. It's an exciting journey we're on, and one you could be part of.

We are looking for a General Manager Merchandising

What you'll do: Your high-level mission

- Set the merchandising strategy, OTBs, product lifecycle, and gross margin in alignment with the strategic direction and within the Department Store's Brand guidelines.
- Take overall responsibility for the full life cycle of stock from what stock to buy, to where it should be allocated and to how it should be sold or disposed of, as well as managing the logistics of this cycle to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness within the department stores
- New brand or designer acquisitions within Fashion

What you'll do in a bit more detail:

- People Management - leading, inspiring and developing the teams
- Setting Gross Margin and Sell-Out Targets
- Have overall responsibility for Category Management, Assortment Planning & Catalogue Management
- Purchasing and Ordering Strategy
- Inventory Management and Stock Liquidation
- Logistics Operations
- Creative Projects such as developing unique collaborations with key partners to elevate the assortment and experience or partnering with key young designers to elevate the brand but also generate revenues to the brand.
- Visual Merchandising
- Be the brand ambassador and capitalize on PR opportunities
- Collaboration - with marketing, with commercial and with Retail merchandising to set the strategy and ensure alignment

Requirements

What you need to succeed in this role:

We see success in the role as having a solid background in Merchandising and Buying, coming with a strong network within the Luxury Fashion world, deep and relevant understanding of the fashion space with good connections already in place with the leading fashion houses, designers and suppliers. You will also need to have an eye for talent, to spot emerging designers or trends in order to provide our guests unrivalled offers in-store.

More specifically, we would love to hear from you if you can say yes to the below

- Previous experience of working in international, global luxury department stores covering Buying and Merchandising at a senior level across multi-categories including men's and women's RTW, accessories, beauty and shoes.
- Are able to work in a multi-cultural, dynamic fast-paced environment with a very collaborative culture.
- Previous examples of spotting new talent or trends and introduced these to your company.
- Strong PR skills and networking abilities
- Experience of working in a fashion hub including but definitely not limited to London, New York, Paris or Milan.
- Understand the Luxury market with interest in contemporary Art, Design, VM and trends.
- Have high emotional intelligence and high cultural intelligence
- Great management experience and ability to lead a large team, some indirectly.

Ready to join our exciting transformation to become a hybrid retailer, bringing luxury experiences to the fingertips of our customers everywhere? Now's your chance. By being part of our journey here at Chalhoub Group, you can make a real impact on customers and some of the finest brands in the world. In return, you'll have everything you need to innovate your career.

What we can offer you

We will help shape your journey with us through enriching experiences, learning and development opportunities and exposure to different assignments within your role or through internal mobility.

Our Group offers the opportunity to support careers that may span different teams, different job roles, different categories and even different countries. We offer diverse career paths for those who show drive and passion as well as the desire to learn and grow.

Amazing benefits

We recognise the value that you bring, and we strive to provide a competitive benefits package which includes health care, life insurance, child education contribution & exclusive employee discounts.

About the Company

The Chalhoub Group is the leading partner for luxury across the Middle East since 1955. As an expert in retail, distribution and marketing services based in Dubai, the group has become a major player in the fashion, beauty and gift sectors regionally.

By blending its Middle East expertise and intimate knowledge of luxury, Chalhoub Group is building brands in the region, by offering service excellence to all its partners and a unique experience to its customers through its passionate teams.

With a growing workforce of more than 9,000 people, implemented in 14 countries, as well as the operating of over 470 retail outlets, the group's success is attributed to its most valued asset of highly skilled and dedicated teams. Professionalism and passion are what fuel the Chalhoub Group's competitive edge in today's market.

By being committed to implementing sustainable practices into their business, the Chalhoub Group has been awarded in 2013 the CSR Label from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.