Junior Buyer - Retail (Toys R Us)

Job description / Role

Overview of the role

To execute strategies that maximise the buying business for GCC and deliver profitable results and manage key business categories for growth. To manage 100+ international and local vendors establishing merchandise strategies and negotiating lower cost prices. To manage a team who will select merchandise based on trend, place orders and remain involved in inventory distribution for assigned categories. Research new trends or advances in product lines to make appropriate buying decisions. Partner with cross-functional team members to develop key concepts and items, promotional strategies and assortments that are brand appropriate. Influence the product development process, financial planning and visual merchandising and marketing strategies.

What you will do

• With the buying manager (BM) set the yearly buying budgets for all assigned categories. Develop the overall strategy and merchandise direction in support of the total company direction.
• Direct buyers to develop assortments that support the needs of the customer and the financial objectives. Work with the buyers to strengthen market relationships and knowledge of market trends, competitor's strengths and weaknesses.
• Ensure that pricing, promotional strategies, and marketing support the financial objectives of buying categories.
• Work with the operations manager, visual merchandising manager and logistics manager to develop by-store assortment plans that support the overall strategy of in-stock positioning for key merchandise categories, classifications, items and vendors.
• Work with internal teams (marketing manager, visual merchandising manager, store manager, accounts department), supporting services (warehouse, logistics) to promote timely communication and cooperation between stores and resources on various business activities and developments (promotions, sale planning and store openings).
• Manage, coach and develop the buying team.

Required skills to be successful

• Strategic planning and analytical skills. Influencing and negotiating skills.
• Highly organized and ability to adapt to quickly changing priorities.
• Strong communication skills, confident decision maker, leadership skills and strategic thinker. Ability to lead, develop and motivate.

What equips you for the role

• Education: BBA (Business Management or Buying) - SAP knowledge is essential.
• Minimum experience and knowledge: Minimum 2-3 years merchandising experience.
• Knowledge of the local market - preferable.

We're here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click "apply": Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global talent acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.

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.