Merchandise Planning Manager - Fashion

Job description / Role

With an excellent reputation for managing international fashion, accessories & footwear brands under franchise, this regional company has exclusive rights to manage the retail distribution of these brands into their own retail stores. As part of their continued success they are now seeking to further expand their head office operations with the appointment of a Merchandise Planning Manager to lead this division. Your role will be based in Dubai but may require travel within the GCC.

Key Responsibilities:
• Reporting to the Group General Manager you will have full brand merchandise planning responsibility for the merchandise planning / allocation / logistics / sell through of all merchandise categories
• Managing a team of Merchandise Planners and inventory allocators / support staff
• Working closely with the buying strategy for all departments including financial goals / margin etc. OTB
• Oversee the stock replenishment / logistics / supply chain
• Competitor analysis and determining price points
• Managing the product performance and margin throughout the season and setting mark downs
• Team management and monitoring staff performance against KPI’s

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years experience in a Merchandise Planning, with no less than 2 years Management of a team of people. Experience in Fashion / Department Stores / Footwear or Sports highly desireable
• A Degree from a recognized international institution – preferable in Finance / Business or MBA
• Strong experience in Merchandise Planning / Analysis / allocation / financial & Sales analysis at a strategic and hands on level is critical
• Good leadership and people management.
• A commercial eye and understanding of the regional Middle East consumers preferably in a retail franchise business model
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal in English
• Experience with merchandise planning tools or ERP based systems is well regarded combined with excellent PC skills including MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

About the Company

Quantum Search is a Dubai based Recruitment Consultancy established in 2008. Our vision is to deliver a high quality, timely and professional recruitment service across a number of key industry sectors in the middle management to executive boardroom levels with leading customers across the Middle East region. We make a firm commitment to all our clients, whether you are seeking staff or seeking a new career… we don’t distinguish on the quality of service commitment to you as our customer. “People first” is our commitment to you….

Retail Sectors: * Fashion * Luxury goods * Home wares * Supermarkets * Food & Beverage * Technology & Electronics * Department Stores * Cosmetics & Fragrance

Skills Recruited * General Management * Finance * Human Resources * Training Managers * Area Managers * Information Technology * Marketing & Public Relations * Leasing & Property Management * Project Manager / Retail Architect * Retail Buying * Merchandise Planning * Store Management * Visual Merchandisers * Brand Management