Assistant Merchandiser Planner | Retail | Watsons | UAE

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 organisation 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

Assist and analyses planning requirements and KPIs using available means (systems and tools). Support the planning team in analysis, makes data available for decision making and allows building routines. Work on inventory levels, minimizing errors, driving continuous improvement through processes, analysis, etc.

Participates to the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process to support harmonizing global improvement with common targets to Watsons.

What you will do:

Description of Accountability:

Strategy and review

• Received, assess, and creates the stores additional orders for validation on required levels as per release strategy in place.

Analysis

• Supports and analyses gaps in master data:
• Source of supply
• Replenishment units of measures
• Lead times
• Analyses and provide necessary details to Planners in order to assess and optimize JDA / auto-rep orders.
• Support and develop routines analysis, measures, performance used during monthly S&OP cycles at Category and global level.
• Participates in meetings with necessary stakeholders on a monthly / regular basis.
• Assist in various reporting and analysis (existing and new development), weekly trade pack, stock reports, KPI’s measurement, etc.
• Monitoring monthly ageing stock level and support actions on liquidating strategy with Buying / Planning teams through inter-territory/store transfer, clearance & promotions.
• Purchase orders follow up on a daily basis to make sure necessary visibility is given to Planning and Logistics.
• Open PO’s measurement to assess and limit the impact on replenishment calculations.

Required Skills to be successful:

• Able to handle Complexity
• Excellent Planning and Organizing Skills
• Good system proficiency, SAP - JDA experience in additional advantage
• Proven analytical skills
• Advanced in Excel, Tableau in additional advantage
• Ability to work in a matrix environment with multiple business functions
• Strong team player and ability to work with the cross functional partners and senior management on all aspects of the business

What equips you for the role:

• Bachelor’s degree with Minimum 3-5 Years’ in Planning and Merchandising
• Knowledge of Planning basics, general knowledge of Supply Chain
• Prior experience in assisting, analyzing (inventory, performance, KPI’s, etc.)
• Experience with using ERP systems (preferably SAP) and advanced Planning tools with statistical modeling
• 3 yrs+ Planning experience