Food Buyer | Retail | Marks & Spencer | UAE

Al-Futtaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional diversified business in Dubai is seeking a Food Buyer responsible for purchasing food products. Key duties include sourcing brands, managing supplier relationships, and analyzing market trends. The ideal candidate should have over 5 years of experience in food buying within FMCG companies, strong leadership skills, and proficiency in relevant software. This role offers a dynamic environment aimed at customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

• More than 5 years experience in food buying.
• Experience in food technical and supply chain areas preferred.
• Strong organizational skills required.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing and developing new brands and categories.
• Planning and achieving agreed net margins and wastage targets.
• Communicating weekly with Operations and Marketing.

Skills

Ability to analyze financial, market, and customer data

Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP

Outgoing and positive attitude

Results-driven with a team-oriented approach

Education

5+ years of experience in Food Buying within FMCG companies

Tools

SAP

Job description

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. The group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable continuous growth and expansion, responding to the changing needs of its customers within the societies it serves.

By upholding values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of its customers daily.

Overview of the role:

The Food Buyer is responsible for purchasing external brands and local sourcing products (Ambient, Frozen, Grocery & Chilled, non-food) to be sold in stores and used as materials for cafes across the MENA region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Sourcing and developing new brands and categories by analyzing gaps, opportunities versus M&S range, and market trends.
• Launching new projects commercially.
• Planning and achieving agreed net margins, wastage, and markdown targets as per food strategy.
• Tracking and reporting key metrics to maximize profits, grow market share and sales, and create joint business plans with regional suppliers aligned with the food strategy and M&S Plan A sustainability plan.
• Liaising with the UK team for planning, ordering, listing, and forecasting M&S products for all markets in MENA, managing stocks to ensure full availability.
• Onboarding suppliers and developing sourcing strategies.
• Signing commercial agreements with suppliers and implementing in-store activities related to local suppliers.
• Category management and store layout planning.

What you will do:

Food Operations:

• Planning, forecasting, and ordering relevant product categories.
• Building and developing relationships with new regional suppliers.
• Managing and developing joint business plans and commercial agreements with suppliers, negotiating beneficial terms.
• Maintaining supplier databases, contract records, and product specifications.
• Ensuring sourced products meet quality standards and specifications.

Delivery Management:

• Researching market trends, prices, and competitor analysis to identify price review opportunities.
• Creating annual category plans for promotions, events, and new ranges to grow sales and market share.
• Leading yearly product category reviews and benchmarking.
• Supporting the delivery of team targets.
• Sourcing and managing supplier relationships to deliver performance aligned with the food strategy.
• Conducting category tenders to identify cost savings.
• Liaising with Logistics and Compliance teams to ensure product registration and RTM establishment.
• Communicating weekly with Operations, Marketing, UK team, Stores, and Supply Chain.
• Searching for opportunities to maximize sales and margins.
• Planning and implementing long-term development strategies for product categories and managing recipe/menu systems for M&S cafes in MENA.

Product Management:

• Collaborating with Digital teams to update online catalogues and maintain stock availability.
• Supervising Food Category Assistants.
• Coordinating with Marketing, Food Operations, and Stores for launching new ranges and events.
• Working with Logistics to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce lead times, and enhance stock availability.

Stakeholder Management:

• Building relationships within M&S MENA, UK teams, and other internal stakeholders.

People Development:

• Providing feedback, recognizing performance, and engaging the team.
• Managing objectives and KPIs for team members.
• Developing training, recruitment, and engagement plans.
• Driving improvements based on Employee Engagement Survey scores.
• Recognizing successes and ensuring skill development.
• Implementing HR policies fairly and consistently.

Required Skills:

• Ability to analyze financial, market, and customer data to identify opportunities.
• Issue identification and risk mitigation planning.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SAP.
• Outgoing, positive attitude, challenge willingness, and ability to work under pressure.
• Results-driven with a team-oriented approach.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in Food Buying within FMCG companies.
• Experience in food technical and supply chain areas preferred.
• Understanding of buying and merchandising.
• Highly organized and structured.
• Strong communication skills.
• Curious, outgoing, and proactive.

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