Associate Planner - Contract Based

Ounass; Dubai; On-site; AED 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dynamic and collaborative workplace

Career development opportunities

Competitive salary and benefits

Employee discounts and product promos

Job summary

Ounass is looking for an Associate Planner to support merchandise planning across assigned categories. You will forecast sales, analyse inventory, and generate in-season performance reports to drive decisions and meet targets.

You will collaborate with Planning, Buying and cross-functional teams to translate data into actionable insights, optimise assortment and localisation for the region. Strong Excel and analytical skills are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 2–3 years of merchandise planning experience in a multi-channel retail or e-commerce organisation.
• Strong numerical and analytical capability, able to interpret complex reports.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and proficiency across Microsoft Office.
• Experience using financial analysis and merchandise planning tools.
• Commercial mindset with a practical, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving.
• Good understanding of retail, relevant products, and market dynamics.
• Ability to build productive cross-functional relationships and work collaboratively to deliver business results.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proactive approach with ownership of results.

Responsibilities

• Support development of annual and seasonal sales budgets and forecasts through historical performance, trends, and demand.
• Prepare sales, margin, and stock analysis to inform planning decisions.
• Identify opportunities via data analysis and performance reviews.
• Analyze assortment performance and inventory flow to spot trends and risks.
• Support channel-level assortment plans aligned with budgets and stock targets.
• Prepare SKU- and class-level plans and share data-driven recommendations with Buying.
• Contribute insights to assortment optimisation and localisation based on regional performance.
• Monitor in-season sales, stock, and margin across categories and channels.
• Prepare weekly/monthly performance reports communicating opportunities and risks.
• Assist allocation and replenishment by analyzing demand and stock levels; recommend actions.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Forecasting

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field

Tools

Excel

Merchandising planning tools

Job description

Job Overview

The Associate Planner will support the delivery of the merchandise planning strategy for an assigned category or brand. Through accurate forecasting, sales planning, inventory analysis, and in-season performance reporting, the role helps achieve sales, margin, and stock targets. Working closely with the Planner and cross-functional teams, the successful candidate will turn complex data into clear commercial insights and support disciplined, data-driven planning decisions.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting the development of annual and seasonal sales budgets and forecasts through the analysis of historical performance, market trends, and customer demand
• Preparing sales, margin, and stock analysis to support merchandise planning and trading decisions
• Identifying size-profile, localisation, and growth opportunities through data analysis and regular performance reviews
• Analysing assortment performance and inventory flow to highlight emerging trends, risks, and commercial opportunities
• Supporting the development of channel-level assortment plans in line with budgeted receipt and stock targets
• Preparing SKU- and class-level plans and sharing data-driven recommendations with Buying teams for review and validation
• Contributing insights to assortment optimisation and localisation initiatives based on customer behaviour and regional performance
• Monitoring in-season sales, stock, and margin performance across categories and channels
• Preparing weekly and monthly performance reports that clearly communicate opportunities, risks, and recommended actions
• Supporting allocation and replenishment activities by analysing demand, stock levels, and trading performance
• Recommending markdown, reallocation, and replenishment actions in line with agreed financial targets
• Collaborating with Buying, Commercial, Digital, Finance, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and other teams to support effective planning execution
• Providing analytical input to support cross-functional decisions and trade discussions
• Preparing analysis and commercial insights for brand and supplier performance reviews
• Taking ownership of assigned deliverables while contributing positively to the wider Planning team

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or another relevant field
• 2–3 years of merchandise planning experience within a multi-channel retail or e-commerce organisation
• Strong numerical and analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex reports and quantitative information
• Good financial modelling and analysis skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and strong proficiency across Microsoft Office
• Experience using financial analysis and merchandise planning tools
• A commercial mindset and a practical, solutions-focused approach to problem-solving
• Good understanding of retail, relevant products, and market dynamics
• The ability to build productive cross-functional relationships and work collaboratively to deliver business results
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills
• The confidence to negotiate and influence effectively
• Strong attention to detail, organisation, and prioritisation skills
• A proactive approach, with a willingness to learn and take ownership of results
• Proficiency in English

What We Offer

• Dynamic and collaborative workplace culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive employee benefits.
• Employee discounts and access to exclusive product promotions.