Planner

ABOUT US
As a leader in luxury retail in the Middle East, Al Tayer Group's retail
division, Al Tayer Insignia, hosts a portfolio of some of the world 's best
luxury brands in the fashion, jewellery, home and department store categories.
Complementing its position in luxury retail, Al Tayer Insignia has also built
new
frontiers in lifestyle retail, representing leading brands in the Beauty,
Home, Fashion and Hospitality sectors. Our brands include Bloomingdales,
Harvey Nichols and Armani to name just a few!

ABOUT THE ROLE
Responsible for delivering the division/brand merchandise strategy through
development of the seasonal and yearly product and location sales plans,
including forecasting and allocation of product; with a view to maximizing
sales and gross margin
WHAT YOU 'LL BE DOING
* Communicate trading issues and forecasts with proposed actions to senior management and Buying team.
* Build and maintain effective working relationships with suppliers.
* Manage all aspects relating to shipments, logistical processing and allocation function.
* Analyze Suppliers' delivery performance and, in conjunction with the Buying team, take appropriate actions.
* Contribute to future supplier strategies.
* Measure products' performance against agreed quality standards and take necessary action with suppliers.
* Assist in the decision-making and problem solving on supplier / brand / partner issues.
* Ensure team results, relationships and processes are aligned with the Company's mission, values and policies.
* Deliver category sales, gross margin and sell-through performance to plan.
* Participate in the development of annual sales budgets and forecasts for specific brands by analyzing data on seasonal/ yearly trends.
* Identify and evaluate sales and gross margin opportunities at department level.
* Review, propose and implement mark-down activity to reduce terminal stock, whilst analyzing action taken on mark-downs to maximize profit.
* Monitor performance against plan, taking appropriate action to maximize sales and margins.
* Develop and maintain effective working partnership with divisions particularly Retail Managers / Store Managers / Logistics and Operations
* Drive decision-making and problem solving relating to merchandise issues at division and location level.
* Ensure efficiency and effectiveness of merchandising business processes.
* Implement the agreed departmental strategy, in conjunction with the Buying team.
* Implement the agreed markdown strategy and communicate to stakeholders.
* Maintain OTB to manage forward buys in-line with department inventory targets.
* Manage communication and coordination with stores regarding price changes, product discontinuation, and brand / item focus.
* Work with relevant stakeholders to monitor overall inventory levels to plan and forecast.
* Manage and review replenishment orders for the relevant products based on model stock and trends to achieve optimal sales, profit and inventory performance.
* Identify slow and best sellers, responding quickly to maximize sales and minimize risks.
* Ensure all inventory targets are met, including stock turnover, terminal stock and movements to sale outlets.
* Identify inter-store transfer of stock and direct the distribution of goods to ensure store targets are met.
* Responsibility for accurate and timely completion of OTB at the relevant product level
People Management Roles and Responsibilities
* Manage, engage and guide Associate & Assistant Planners towards the achievement of business strategies, goals and objectives.
* Responsible for coaching and training own team members and formalize and follow up on their IDP, in coordination with the employee and HR
ABOUT YOU
Education/Certification and Continued Education
* University Degree in any discipline
Years of Experience
* ‎3-‎5 years experience successfully implementing planning function of large scale retail operations.
* Computer literacy.
Knowledge and Skills
* Analytical skills and in depth knowledge of the industry.
* Able to communicate effectively at Management Level