Assistant Merchandiser

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 Assistant Merchandiser is responsible for supporting the Senior
Merchandiser and
Merchandiser of the BU.
He/She will produce reports, analyse these and recommend actions.
He/she will assist with the planning and product selection of the BU
catalogues and
categories.
He/she will also ensure that trackers and data files are updated and
maintained,
and for managing the allocation process.

What you will do:-
Description of Accountability:

ALLOCATION PROCESS
* Manage accurate BTF setting
* Manage ratio balancing
* Guide and train allocators
* Manage and implement AI Allocation solution from Invent Analytics
* Liaise with stores to understand regional needs

BUSINESS REPORTS AND ANALYSIS
* Generate accurate and clear reports
* Maintain reporting process
* Generate promotion tracking
* Analyse weekly trade report and recommend action points
* Report and flag best/worst sellers, analyse customer habits and understand product choices
* Housekeeping of data
* Produce and Analyse seasonal sales and recommend future buying

CATALOGUE BUYING
* Assisting the Senior Merchandiser / Merchandiser in the Catalogue Buying process
* Maintaining Core Buying sheet to calculate correct buying quantities - implementing Demand Planning solution
* Data entry of buying quantities to IBT/Digital Range Building system
* Preparing planograms using DRB
* Using reporting to make meaningful comparisons against LY / Buying Budget/ Promotional calendar
* Active role in generating IBO ranges
* Awareness of the market and contribution to BU strategy
* Passion for the M&S Brand and appreciation of product

COMMUNICATION
* First point of contact for stores in the event of stock related issues
* Assist in weekly trade communications
* Contribute to planning for retail conference
* Understand transformation to digital mindset, ensure seamless journey for customer through product instore and online
* Provide clear and accurate information for all business users
* Good relationship with Principal
* Ensure product data and descriptions online are customer friendly

LEADING PEOPLE
* Work to SMART Objectives, understand Strategic direction of travel and communicate tirelessly
* Provide coaching for development and ensure succession within the team working with HRBP on Talent Management
* Role model Al-Futtaim Way Behaviours and M&S Values

Required Skills to be successful:-
* Passion and product knowledge and love of M&S brand and heritage
* A Confident Team Player
* Able to handle Complexity
* Attention to Detail
* Highly Numerate
* Product Confident
* Good Communicator
* Optimistic Attitude
* Strong track record of People Management
* Cultural Awareness
* Graduate or Graduate Caliber
* Good working knowledge of Excel and key Microsoft Applications
* Knowledge of SAP an additional advantage

What equips you for the role:
* Bachelor Degree (Masters Preferred)
* ‎3-‎4 years ' experience in Fashion Buying and Merchandising at AM or Allocator level
* Experience within a retail buying environment in MENA and/or Europe and experience of UK/European brands
* Delighting Our Customers
* Collaboration
* Managing Complexity
* Influencing Others
* Taking Initiative
* Drive for Results
* Engaging Leadership
* Developing Talent

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.

Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East
for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to
continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further
development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from
all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse
workforce which includes over ‎100 nationalities across ‎12 countries. Join us
today and make a difference…