Buyer - Sports Retail Purchasing and Assortment Planning

GMG Gulf; Dubai; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

GMG Sports in Dubai seeks an experienced Buyer to manage product purchasing and assortment planning for its sports retail portfolio. You will negotiate with suppliers, develop ranges, and ensure timely delivery to stores in line with seasonal plans.

The role requires six years in procurement and retail buying, including sports retail, with strong negotiation, analytical and ERP skills (SAP, Power BI, Excel). This is an on-site position based in Dubai.

Qualifications

• Six years of total professional experience in procurement and retail buying.
• Experience in sports retail is required.
• Strong negotiation and commercial awareness are essential.
• Proficiency with SAP ERP, Power BI and Excel is expected.

Responsibilities

• Manage product buying and assortment planning from selection to delivery to stores.
• Develop ranges aligned with category strategy and seasonal requirements.
• Construct seasonal and in-season assortments based on demand and objectives.
• Coordinate supplier negotiations, terms and rebates to protect margins.
• Review assortment performance and adjust plans to optimize sales and stock.
• Support category planning with market insights and data-driven decisions.
• Collaborate with Merchandising, Allocation, Logistics and Store Operations.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Supplier relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Supply Chain Management degree preferred

Master's degree advantageous

Procurement certification required

Tools

SAP ERP

Power BI

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Buyer - Sports Retail Purchasing and Assortment Planning Job Snapshot - Role: Buyer - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Retail - Function: Merchandise Planning and Buying - Experience: 6 years of total experience, including 4 years in procurement and 2 years in retail buying - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

GMG is seeking an experienced Buyer to manage product purchasing, supplier relationships and assortment planning within its Sports retail business in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The role is responsible for selecting commercially relevant products, negotiating competitive supplier agreements and ensuring that the right merchandise reaches stores according to seasonal requirements and business plans. Working closely with the Category Manager, Merchandising, Allocation, Logistics and Store Operations teams, you will develop product ranges, monitor purchasing performance and identify opportunities to improve sales, margins and inventory productivity. The successful candidate will have six years of combined procurement and retail buying experience, including experience in sports retail. Strong negotiation skills, commercial awareness and proficiency in SAP ERP, Power BI and Microsoft Excel are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Buying and Assortment Planning
  • Manage the complete buying process from product selection through purchase order placement and delivery to stores.
  • Develop product ranges that align with the assigned category strategy.
  • Build seasonal and in-season assortments based on customer demand and commercial objectives.
  • Select products according to target consumer preferences, store clusters and financial plans.
  • Work with the Category Manager to align purchasing decisions with business priorities.
  • Identify opportunities to introduce relevant products, brands and price points.
  • Review assortment performance and recommend adjustments to improve commercial results.
  • Coordinate product availability for planned seasonal launches and trading periods.
  • Ensure buying decisions support profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Market Research and Consumer Trends
  • Conduct regular market research to identify developments in sports retail.
  • Monitor competitor product ranges, pricing and promotional activities.
  • Analyze consumer preferences and emerging product trends.
  • Identify opportunities within existing and potential product categories.
  • Evaluate brand and pricing opportunities that support category growth.
  • Use market findings to support seasonal buying decisions.
  • Share relevant commercial insights with the Category Manager.
  • Recommend assortment changes based on customer demand and market conditions.
• Supplier Sourcing and Commercial Negotiations
  • Identify and evaluate suppliers that meet product and commercial requirements.
  • Negotiate competitive product cost prices.
  • Agree trading terms, payment conditions and supplier rebates.
  • Negotiate other relevant commercial arrangements to improve purchasing value.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with suppliers.
  • Review supplier proposals against quality, pricing and business requirements.
  • Support commercial agreements that protect margins and profitability.
  • Address supplier‑related concerns affecting purchasing or delivery activities.
  • Monitor supplier performance against agreed commercial expectations.
• Sales, Stock and Margin Management
  • Review sales performance by category, brand and stock keeping unit.
  • Analyze inventory levels and product availability across the assigned business.
  • Monitor gross margin performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Evaluate product sell‑through and stock movement.
  • Identify opportunities for additional purchasing or repeat orders.
  • Recommend order cancellations or assortment adjustments when commercially appropriate.
  • Highlight slow‑moving products and potential inventory risks.
  • Coordinate with Merchandising and Allocation teams to manage stock levels.
  • Ensure inventory availability reflects seasonal demand, promotional requirements and store capacity.
  • Support efficient use of available inventory and purchasing budgets.
• Retail Buying and Financial Planning
  • Apply established retail buying cycles to seasonal and in‑season purchasing.
  • Support assortment decisions using sales, stock and margin analysis.
  • Work within agreed financial and category plans.
  • Apply open‑to‑buy (OTB) principles when evaluating purchasing requirements.
  • Review the financial impact of proposed product selections and buying decisions.
  • Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and profitability.
  • Support the Category Manager with commercial planning information.
  • Maintain appropriate purchasing records to support financial and operational reviews.
• Purchase Orders and Delivery Coordination
  • Prepare and manage purchase orders according to approved buying requirements.
  • Coordinate with Logistics and Supply Chain teams to monitor incoming merchandise.
  • Track supplier deliveries against agreed schedules.
  • Follow up on delayed or incomplete shipments.
  • Coordinate with suppliers to resolve delivery discrepancies.
  • Ensure product shipments are accurate and complete.
  • Communicate delivery concerns to relevant internal teams.
  • Support timely product availability for stores and seasonal launches.
  • Maintain clear records of purchasing and delivery activities.
• Store and Merchandising Collaboration
  • Work closely with Store Operations and Merchandising teams.
  • Gather feedback on product performance and customer preferences.
  • Review store‑level insights to identify assortment improvement opportunities.
  • Consider visual merchandising requirements when planning product ranges.
  • Coordinate with Allocation teams on merchandise distribution.
  • Support appropriate stock availability across store clusters.
  • Share product and category information with relevant stakeholders.
  • Use operational feedback to improve future purchasing decisions.
• Promotions and Seasonal Launches
  • Support the planning and execution of retail promotions.
  • Coordinate product availability for marketing campaigns and seasonal launches.
  • Review promotional pricing requirements with relevant stakeholders.
  • Engage suppliers regarding promotional support.
  • Ensure planned merchandise is available according to campaign schedules.
  • Monitor inventory requirements for key commercial periods.
  • Coordinate with internal teams to address product availability concerns.
  • Support effective execution of approved promotional activities.
• Purchasing Analysis and Reporting
  • Use SAP ERP to support purchasing and inventory‑related activities.
  • Prepare and maintain purchasing performance reports.
  • Use Power BI to analyze supplier and product performance.
  • Apply Microsoft Excel to purchasing, stock and margin analysis.
  • Monitor supplier key performance indicators.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of product ranges.
  • Identify commercial risks and improvement opportunities through data analysis.
  • Present findings and recommendations to support management decisions.
  • Maintain accurate purchasing and supplier information.
• Procurement Compliance and Documentation
  • Follow GMG procurement policies and established purchasing procedures.
  • Maintain appropriate ethical standards in supplier dealings.
  • Ensure buying activities meet company documentation requirements.
  • Keep complete and accurate records of purchasing transactions.
  • Maintain supporting documentation for supplier agreements and purchase orders.
  • Review purchasing activities for compliance with applicable internal procedures.
  • Support transparency and accuracy in commercial record‑keeping.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education
  • Bachelor 's degree in Business.
  • A degree in Supply Chain Management is preferred.
  • A Master 's degree is an advantage.
  • Certification in Procurement is required.
• Professional Experience
  • 6 years of total professional experience.
  • 4 years of experience in procurement.
  • 2 years of experience in retail buying.
  • Experience in the sports retail industry.
  • Practical experience in inventory management.
  • Understanding of product purchasing and supplier coordination.
  • Experience working with retail merchandise and commercial performance information.
• Technical and Functional Competencies
  • Strong understanding of retail buying cycles.
  • Knowledge of assortment and seasonal range planning.
  • Understanding of open‑to‑buy principles.
  • Experience in inventory planning and stock management.
  • Strong supplier negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Ability to secure favorable commercial terms.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Ability to interpret sales, stock and margin information.
  • Confidence translating performance data into purchasing decisions.
  • Understanding of supplier performance measurement and reporting.
• Systems and Reporting Skills
  • SAP ERP knowledge is required.
  • Proficiency in Power BI.
  • Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
  • Ability to prepare and interpret purchasing performance reports.
  • Experience working with supplier and inventory data.
  • Strong attention to data accuracy.
  • Ability to use reporting tools to support commercial decision‑making.
• Negotiation and Commercial Skills
  • Strong commercial negotiation capabilities.
  • Ability to evaluate supplier proposals and pricing.
  • Confidence negotiating costs, payment terms and trading agreements.
  • Understanding of margin management and purchasing profitability.
  • Ability to identify commercial opportunities and risks.
  • Strong influencing and relationship management skills.
  • Sound judgment when balancing product quality, cost and customer requirements.
• Organizational and Communication Skills
  • Excellent organizational abilities.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple buying seasons and supplier relationships.
  • Effective planning and prioritization skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure.
  • Clear communication with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
  • Ability to coordinate with Category Management, Merchandising, Logistics and Store Operations.
  • Strong follow‑through on purchasing activities and deadlines.
• Professional Competencies
  • Commercial awareness and results‑oriented thinking.
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
  • Effective supplier relationship management.
  • Attention to purchasing accuracy and documentation.
  • Ability to manage competing business priorities.
  • Confidence making data‑supported buying recommendations.
  • Collaborative approach to cross‑functional activities.
  • Commitment to procurement compliance and ethical business practices.

About the Role at GMG Sports

The Buyer supports GMG Sports by ensuring product ranges meet customer expectations while contributing to profitable retail operations. Through effective supplier negotiations, assortment planning and inventory coordination, the role helps maintain commercially relevant merchandise across the store network. The position provides an opportunity to contribute to seasonal buying decisions, category performance and supplier relationships within GMG 's sports retail business.

About GMG

GMG is a global well-being company involved in retailing, distributing and manufacturing leading international and home‑grown brands across sports, food and health. Its operations span four key business divisions: GMG Sports, GMG Food, GMG Health and GMG Consumer Goods. Owned and managed by the Baker family, GMG operates across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia and has introduced more than 120 brands into its markets. The company 's vision is to inspire people to win in ways that make the world better.