Head of Supply Chain Planning - GCC Markets

Apparel Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Apparel Group in Dubai seeks a Head of Supply Chain Planning for GCC markets to lead regional merchandise planning, demand forecasting, inventory strategy, and performance reporting across GCC regions. The role emphasizes data-driven decision-making and cross-functional leadership to improve product availability and profitability.

You will oversee forecasting, inventory optimization, and cross-functional collaboration with Merchandising, Retail, and Finance teams to drive supply chain excellence

Responsibilities

• Lead regional merchandise planning and demand planning strategy across GCC markets.
• Partner with Merchandising, Retail, and Finance teams to optimize category, collection, and SKU performance.
• Provide commercial insights supporting assortment decisions, new product launches, promotions, and pricing strategies.
• Develop executive dashboards and business reports for the Managing Director and Leadership Team.
• Translate business trends into recommendations that improve sales, profitability, and inventory productivity.
• Use data analysis to identify commercial opportunities and potential risks and recommend proactive actions.

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Head of Supply Chain Planning - GCC Markets

Location: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Retail

Function: Supply Chain

Experience: Not specified

Job Type: Full Time

Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview

Apparel Group is hiring a Head of Supply Chain Planning - GCC Markets in Dubai, UAE to lead regional merchandise planning, demand forecasting, inventory strategy, business performance reporting, and supply planning across GCC markets. The role combines commercial analysis with cross-functional leadership to improve product availability, forecast accuracy, inventory productivity, profitability, and data-driven decision-making.

Job Details

Country: UAE

City: Dubai

Industry: Retail

Function: Supply Chain

Salary: Not disclosed

Gender: No Preference

Candidate Nationality: Not specified

Job Type: Full Time

Work Arrangement: On-site

Commercial Planning and Business Performance

• Lead regional merchandise planning and demand planning strategy across GCC markets.
• Partner with Merchandising, Retail, and Finance teams to optimize category, collection, and SKU performance.
• Provide commercial insights supporting assortment decisions, new product launches, promotions, and pricing strategies.
• Develop executive dashboards and business reports for the Managing Director and Leadership Team.
• Translate business trends into recommendations that improve sales, profitability, and inventory productivity.
• Use data analysis to identify commercial opportunities and potential risks and recommend proactive actions.

Demand Planning and Forecasting

• Own the regional forecasting process across channels and markets, with responsibility for improving forecast accuracy and strengthening alignment between planning and commercial priorities.
• Lead monthly demand reviews and forecast alignment with Commercial, Retail, and Marketing teams.
• Improve forecasting methodologies using historical trends, commercial intelligence, and product lifecycle analysis.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and bias.
• Implement initiatives designed to strengthen overall planning performance.

Inventory and Supply Planning

• Develop inventory strategies that support product availability while optimizing working capital.
• Balance customer service levels, inventory investment, and commercial objectives.
• Manage replenishment planning from European distribution centres into the Middle East.
• Monitor stock availability, weeks of cover, ageing inventory, and replenishment performance across GCC markets.
• Lead initiatives to reduce obsolete inventory.
• Improve sell-through while protecting gross margin.

Business Analytics and Reporting

• Produce executive reports covering category performance, inventory health, forecast accuracy, stock productivity, and commercial KPIs.
• Provide strategic analysis supporting investment decisions, assortment optimization, and business growth.
• Develop planning dashboards and reporting tools that strengthen decision-making across the organization.
• Maintain clear visibility of planning and commercial performance across markets.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Build effective working relationships with European Supply Chain teams to support product availability and new product launches.
• Collaborate with Merchandising, Retail, Finance, Regulatory, Marketing, and Business Technology teams.
• Align planning priorities across relevant business functions.
• Support strategic business reviews with detailed analysis and commercially focused recommendations.

Planning Transformation and Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements to planning processes, systems, and reporting capabilities.
• Identify opportunities to automate reporting and increase planning efficiency.
• Promote a data-driven approach to planning and business decisions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on forecast accuracy, inventory productivity, and commercial performance.

Team Leadership

• Build and develop a high-performing Supply Chain Planning team with a collaborative, accountable, and commercially focused approach.
• The role will coach team members to strengthen analytical capability, business partnering, and strategic thinking while encouraging resilience, curiosity, and ownership in a fast-paced environment.

Key Capabilities

• Regional merchandise and demand planning.
• Demand forecasting and forecast accuracy management.
• Inventory and replenishment planning.
• Category, collection, and SKU performance analysis.
• Inventory productivity and working capital optimization.
• Commercial and executive reporting.
• Dashboard and reporting tool development.
• Business performance and KPI analysis.
• Cross-functional business partnering.
• Planning process improvement and reporting automation.
• Team development and leadership.