Head of Commercial - 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 job holder will ensure that the brand is delivering balanced, cohesive and commercial product ranges throughout all channels within the business in all Countries. Reporting to the General Manager, the jobholder is responsible for ensuring the brand performance for the entire region within all channels. He/she is the main point of contact for the entire commercial activities.

What you will do

Financial
- Anticipate, identify and exploit legal/fiscal developments and changes in market conditions.

Brand Identity and VM
- Drive the brand's identity through advising strong marketing and design campaigns both in-store and online.
- Ensure the Watsons Brand is developed to drive customer acquisition and retention including CRM strategy support

Communication
- Establishing and managing relations with key suppliers to develop new programs that build categories, drive meaningful differentiation and build customer value.
- Leading the team in negotiating with suppliers for other income based on the approved programs and activities.

People Management & Development
- Coaching and engaging the trading team including indirect support to the wider HO & Store teams to ensure a common direction.

Leadership
- Provide effective second-in-command support to the GM and step up to lead the business when required.

Required Skills to be successful
- Extensive experience in Sales, Marketing and Operations and working in the retail/brand management industry specifically in Health & Beauty
- Sound in-depth knowledge of the market, brand positioning and trends.
- An understanding of the current economic situation impacts of potential threats and competitors

About the Team

- The team is a group of 5-6, highly motivated buyers and buying assistants.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge

- Education : Bachelor's Degree or equivalent
- Master's degree preferred

Minimum Experience and Knowledge

Minimum 10 years of core commercial/ buying experience with at least 5 in a leadership capacity.

Job-Specific/Technical Skills required to complete the tasks
- Commercial Management
- Multiple Category/ Vendor Management
- Cross Country/ Regional Experience
- Strong Financial Background

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.

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.