Sr. Buyer Merchandiser - Kids Wear

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:

Sr. Buyer Merchandiser is responsible for identifying & delivering a range appropriate to the region, whilst working with the UK to ensure product & pricing strategy are correct and relevant for the MENA region and there by achieve the Key Business KPI's of Sales, Cash Margin, Markdown Cost and Closing Stock.

What you will do:

Description of Accountability:

BUSINESS PLAN AND DELIVERY OF KEY KPI's
- Continuously search for Business Opportunities to increase Sales and Cash Margin
- In depth knowledge of BU, Markets operated in and Key Competitor's
- Recommends & produces analysis to make good forward planning decisions
- Maintains BU WSSI

SALES AND OTB PLANNING
- Assists & supports senior merchandiser with planning appropriate Sales and Cash Margin by Department/Range/store
- Assists in planning appropriate Space for each Department/ Range in each Store
- Assists in planning appropriate OTB and Options by T Department/Range
- Cut OTB: Core v Fashion Flow v Fashion
- Assist in planning appropriate e-Commerce Buy

RANGE DETAIL PLANNING
- Management of Core Template to size level to drive Core Availability
- Size Cut analysis & recommendation by Department/ Market
- Plan appropriate Good/ Better/ Best Offer
- Sufficient Volume on Key OPP'S
- Appropriate Colour Balance
- Authoritative Product Statements on Hero Product

PRODUCT SELECTION
- Detailed Preparation for UK Buying Fairs
- Assist in developing a clear IBO Strategy
- Confident Product Selection and Range Balancing
- Ensure buys are in line with the shop visual plan strategy
- Opportunity Buys to Support Marketing Strategy
- Spend Control
- Margin Optimization
- Right balance of core & fashion

TRADE
- Attend weekly team meeting and suggest actions to drive business
- Prepare Weekly Store Communication (GM Action News)
- Manage Allocation Blueprint
- Manage Replenishment Strategy by Type of Product/ Market
- Recommend consolidations to the Senior merchandiser
- Assist in implementation of a robust Promotional Calendar
- Assist in implementation of a robust Innovations Communication
- Ensure Opening Price Points well executed and Messaged In-Store
- Effective Markdown Management - controlling Shop in Shop
- Statements but clearing Seasonal Lines

MARKET AWARENESS
- Conduct Quarterly Comp Shops
- Report on Key Actions to remain Price Competitive
- Report on Key Missed Opportunities
- Assist in conducting Bi - annual SWOT with Store Champions
- Engage in store visits

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
- Build Good Relationships with colleagues within M&S
- Build good relationships with M&S Operations Team, VM Team and Marketing Team
- Build good working relationship with UK

LEADING PEOPLE
- Guide & train Assistant merchandiser & allocator to develop into the next role
- Be involved in appraisals

Required Skills to be successful:
- Interpersonal Skills.
- Problem analysis and problem-solving
- Delighting Our Customers
- Collaboration
- Managing Complexity
- Taking Initiative
- Drive for Results

Requirements

What equips you for the role:
- Bachelor Degree (Masters Preferred)
- 5+ years' experience in Fashion Buying and Merchandising
- Experience within a retail buying environment in MENA and/or Europe and experience of UK/European brands.
- Able to handle Complexity
- Excellent Planning and Organizing Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Highly Numerate
- Product Confident
- Good Communicator
- Optimistic Attitude
- Works at Pace with an Impatience to get things Done
- Cultural Awareness
- Womenswear or Middle East Experience preferred
- Graduate or Graduate Calibre
- Good working knowledge of Excel
- Knowledge of SAP an additional advantage

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.