Assortment Planner

GMG; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

GMG in the United Arab Emirates seeks an Assortment Planner to manage seasonal assortments and drive category performance in a retail and distribution context. The role emphasizes strategic planning, inventory optimization, and collaboration with category managers across regions to achieve sales and margin targets.

The ideal candidate will leverage SAP/JDA/Oracle Retail and BI tools such as Power BI/Tableau to develop dashboards, monitor stock levels, and support OTB planning while working

Qualifications

• Advanced competency in product planning analysis and forecasting.
• Strong knowledge of inventory management principles and executing inventory plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate quantitative product analysis concepts.

Responsibilities

• Assortment Strategy Development: create channel-specific assortment plans and inform product selection.
• Data analysis & Forecasting: monitor inventory levels, support Open-to-Buy planning, forecast demand and adjust assortments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: align seasonal buys with assortment needs and coordinate with allocation and distribution teams.
• People Management: guide the Merchandiser and Allocator to execute brand strategies.

Skills

Analytical skills

Product planning

Forecasting

Tools

SAP

JDA

Oracle Retail

Power BI

Tableau

Excel

Job description

Who we are:

GMG is a global well-being company retailing distributing and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport everyday goods health and beauty properties and logistics sectors. Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years GMG is a valued partner of choice for the worlds most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East North Africa and Asia GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include notable home-grown brands such as Sun & Sand Sports Dropkick Supercare Pharmacy Farm Fresh Klassic and international brands like Nike Columbia Converse Timberland Vans Mama Sitas and McCain.

Role Summary:

The Assortment Planner will be responsible for managing seasonal assortments and driving category performance through strategic planning and execution in B&M team. This role supports category management by aligning assortment strategies with market
needs business objectives and sales targets. A key focus will be on efficient stock management to optimize inventory levels reduce markdowns and maximize sell-through. The planner will support the Category Manager in the buying process & develop targeted merchandising strategies aimed at achieving category sales and margin targets while collaborating cross-functionally to ensure successful implementation across regions.

Responsibilities

1. Assortment Strategy Development
   Create and quantify channel specific assortment plans
   Use historical data trend insights and market analytics to inform product selection.
   Review product lifecycle performance and recommend additions deletions or substitutions.
   Conduct post-season reviews and share learnings with key stakeholders.
2. Data analysis & Forecasting
   Monitor and manage inventory levels to maintain healthy stock positions and reduce excess inventory.
   Support Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning and execution in partnership with the buying team.
   Forecast demand and adjust assortments to maximize on revenue and minimize markdowns.
   Create distribution plans for new seasons; analyze and adjust store-wise and region-wise size allocations.
   Collaborate with Merchandiser and Allocator to effectively deliver category targets.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Category manager buyers and planners to align seasonal buys with assortment needs.
Collaborate with allocation and distribution teams to ensure correct product flow to stores or regions.

& tools
Leverage planning software (e.g. SAP JDA Oracle Retail or similar tools).
Use BI tools (Power BI Tableau Excel) to create dashboards and reports.

People Management
The Assortment planner is responsible for setting clear objectives and performance targets of the category with the category manager. This
role involves actively guiding and providing direction to the Merchandiser and Allocator to effectively execute brand strategies.
Functional / Technical Competencies
The Assortment planner must demonstrate advanced competency in product planning analysis and forecasting. Proficiency in inventory management principles and executing inventory plans is essential. The incumbent should possess strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex product data sets. Expertise in business intelligence tools Microsoft Office and statistical analysis is required. The incumbent must exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills to articulate quantitative product analysis concepts clearly to diverse audiences. A strong understanding of retail operations particularly within the sports retail sector is highly advantageous.