Material Management Operations Manager - Automotive Inventory

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Automotive seeks a Material Management Operations Manager to lead inventory planning, replenishment governance and material management across its Automotive Division in Dubai, UAE. The role focuses on maintaining optimal stock availability, improving efficiency and supporting working capital through demand planning and supplier coordination.

The candidate will oversee order planning, inventory health, branch replenishment and operational performance across multiple sales channels,

Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience in inventory planning, replenishment governance and material management.
• ERP systems and inventory planning tools knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Oversee OEM and vendor management across the automotive division.
• Manage order planning, replenishment governance and stock optimization.
• Lead inventory planning teams and coordinate with OEMs and vendors.
• Monitor inventory health, back orders and service levels across channels.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Customer-focused

Team leadership

Collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in SCM/Industrial Eng

Tools

SAP ERP

Syncron

Power BI

Tableau

Alteryx

Job description

Material Management Operations Manager - Automotive Inventory Job Snapshot - Role: Material Management Operations Manager - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Automotive - Function: Inventory Planning and Management - Experience: Approximately 5 years in supply chain or inventory operations, including 1-2 years of team management experience - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Al-Futtaim Automotive is seeking a Material Management Operations Manager to lead inventory planning, replenishment governance and material management activities across its Automotive Division in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The role is responsible for maintaining optimal stock availability, improving inventory efficiency and supporting working capital objectives through effective demand planning, supplier coordination and stock management. Working closely with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), vendors, Brand Business Units and internal stakeholders, the successful candidate will oversee order planning, inventory health, branch replenishment and operational performance across multiple sales channels. The position also involves managing inventory planning systems, including Syncron, monitoring demand fluctuations, improving supplier performance and leading a team of material planners. The Material Management Operations Manager will play an important role in reducing back orders, improving service levels, minimizing excess and obsolete stock and supporting customer satisfaction through reliable automotive parts availability.

Job Details - Country: United Arab Emirates - City: Dubai - Industry: Automotive - Function: Inventory Planning and Management - Salary: Not disclosed - Gender: No Preference - Candidate Nationality: Not specified - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Responsibilities

OEM and Vendor Management

• Coordinate the implementation and execution of OEM programs, requirements and operational guidelines.
• Work closely with Brand Business Units to align supplier activities with inventory and business objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance and identify opportunities to improve delivery reliability.
• Analyze demand and supply gaps and coordinate corrective measures with relevant stakeholders.
• Support improvements in supplier fill rates and order fulfillment performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce supplier lead times and improve material availability.
• Monitor outstanding supplier orders and back-order positions.
• Prepare and communicate relevant back-order information to internal stakeholders.
• Maintain effective relationships with vendors and business teams to support efficient supply chain operations.

Order Planning and Replenishment Governance

• Oversee order planning and replenishment activities across the Automotive Division.
• Review, validate and approve inventory order proposals.
• Ensure order quantities and placement decisions are aligned with demand requirements and inventory policies.
• Monitor replenishment performance to maintain appropriate stock availability.
• Identify opportunities to improve inventory fill rates across sales channels.
• Coordinate actions to reduce back orders and recover potential lost sales.
• Support the achievement of established service-level targets.
• Ensure replenishment decisions balance customer demand, inventory availability and working capital considerations.
• Maintain effective governance over inventory planning and ordering processes.

Inventory Management and Stock Optimization

• Maintain balanced inventory levels through effective stock planning and inventory control.
• Monitor stock composition to ensure alignment with business demand.
• Identify excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory.
• Coordinate preventive measures with internal stakeholders to reduce ageing stock.
• Recommend actions to improve inventory health and stock utilization.
• Analyze inventory performance to identify opportunities for operational improvement.
• Support revenue objectives through improved material availability.
• Contribute to working capital optimization by reducing unnecessary inventory investment.
• Maintain a balanced approach to service levels, stock availability and inventory efficiency.

Network Stock Management

• Oversee inventory distribution and stock management across the branch network.
• Coordinate branch replenishment requirements to maintain appropriate stock availability.
• Monitor branch-level inventory health and service performance.
• Manage stock returns and related inventory movements.
• Identify opportunities to improve stock allocation across locations.
• Support efficient inventory utilization throughout the distribution network.
• Oversee Vehicle Off Road (VOR) order handling to support urgent customer requirements.
• Coordinate actions to minimize customer downtime resulting from parts unavailability.
• Monitor branch fill rates and implement improvements to support service-level objectives.
• Work with relevant teams to address stock shortages and replenishment exceptions.

Demand Monitoring and Inventory Performance Analysis

• Continuously monitor inventory performance against operational requirements.
• Analyze demand fluctuations and sales trends to identify changes in material requirements.
• Review inventory planning information to identify potential stock shortages or excess inventory.
• Evaluate planning performance and recommend corrective actions.
• Monitor stock availability and replenishment effectiveness across relevant sales channels.
• Use inventory data to support informed planning and procurement decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve demand forecasting and stock allocation.
• Coordinate inventory improvement initiatives with relevant business stakeholders.

Syncron and Inventory Systems Management

• Lead the monitoring and refinement of inventory planning parameters within Syncron.
• Review system-generated planning information and identify exceptions.
• Investigate inventory planning discrepancies and coordinate appropriate resolutions.
• Support improvements in system parameters to enhance replenishment accuracy.
• Monitor the effectiveness of inventory planning configurations.
• Coordinate with relevant teams to resolve operational system issues.
• Support accurate inventory information within ERP and planning systems.
• Use system capabilities to strengthen demand forecasting, inventory visibility and operational decision-making.

Operational Processing and Supply Chain Coordination

• Ensure accurate and timely processing of material management activities.
• Oversee Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN) processing and related operational requirements.
• Coordinate with logistics teams to support efficient material movement.
• Maintain accurate master data required for inventory and replenishment operations.
• Identify and resolve operational issues affecting inventory availability or processing.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to address supply chain exceptions.
• Support consistency and accuracy in inventory-related transactions.
• Monitor operational workflows to identify opportunities for greater efficiency.
• Ensure material management activities follow relevant organizational procedures.

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve inventory planning, replenishment and material management processes.
• Develop and implement corrective actions based on inventory performance findings.
• Support improvements in stock availability, supplier performance and operational efficiency.
• Encourage effective coordination between inventory planning, logistics and business teams.
• Review recurring operational issues and recommend sustainable improvements.
• Promote data-driven decision-making across material management activities.
• Support consistent application of inventory management policies and procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance customer service and business performance.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and guide the material planning team.
• Provide operational direction on inventory planning, replenishment and stock management activities.
• Coach material planners to strengthen technical knowledge and analytical capabilities.
• Monitor team performance and support consistent execution of assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable policies, standard operating procedures and regulations.
• Encourage effective communication and collaboration within the team.
• Support professional development through practical guidance and performance feedback.
• Promote accountability, operational accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Build a customer-oriented team focused on inventory availability and service excellence.

Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with Brand Business Units to align inventory operations with commercial objectives.
• Coordinate with OEMs and vendors to improve supply performance.
• Work with logistics teams to support timely material movement and replenishment.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to address inventory challenges and operational priorities.
• Communicate stock availability concerns, supplier issues and performance trends.
• Support coordinated decision-making across supply chain and business functions.
• Maintain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure inventory planning activities support customer requirements across all sales channels.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor 's or Master 's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering or an equivalent qualification.
• Knowledge of inventory management processes, planning methodologies and key performance indicators.
• Understanding of supply chain operations, stock replenishment and inventory optimization.
• Familiarity with enterprise resource planning systems and inventory planning tools.

Required Professional Experience

• Approximately 5 years of experience in supply chain or inventory operations.
• Experience managing a team for 1-2 years.
• Experience in inventory forecasting, order planning and replenishment activities.
• Practical knowledge of inventory management processes and performance indicators.
• Experience monitoring inventory availability, stock health and operational efficiency.
• Experience coordinating with suppliers and cross-functional business teams.
• Automotive parts knowledge is preferred.

Required Technical Skills

• Proficiency in ERP systems, preferably SAP.
• Experience working with business intelligence tools and Syncron.
• Strong inventory forecasting, planning and analytical capabilities.
• Competence in using analytical tools such as Alteryx, Power BI and Tableau.
• Ability to evaluate inventory performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Knowledge of stock replenishment, inventory optimization and demand analysis.
• Understanding of inventory management KPIs, including fill rates, back orders and stock health.
• Ability to analyze supplier performance and inventory planning information.
• Familiarity with master data management and supply chain operational processes.

Required Professional Competencies

• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Customer-oriented approach to inventory availability and service performance.
• Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with suppliers, business units and logistics teams.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing operational priorities.
• Effective communication and team leadership skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to operational accuracy.
• Ability to identify inventory risks and implement corrective measures.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of working capital considerations.
• Ability to coach and develop material planning personnel.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Performance Priorities

Inventory Availability and Service Levels

• Improve material availability across relevant sales channels.
• Increase inventory fill rates and reduce back-order volumes.
• Support the recovery of lost sales opportunities caused by stock shortages.

Inventory Health and Working Capital

• Improve stock mix and overall inventory efficiency.
• Reduce excess, ageing and obsolete inventory.
• Support revenue performance while optimizing working capital.

Supplier and Replenishment Performance

• Improve supplier fill rates and reduce lead times.
• Monitor demand-supply gaps and outstanding orders.
• Strengthen order planning and replenishment governance.

Operational Efficiency

• Ensure accurate ASN processing, logistics coordination and master data management.
• Monitor Syncron planning parameters and resolve relevant system exceptions.
• Improve inventory processes through data analysis and corrective actions.
• Support timely and accurate inventory-related operational transactions.

Customer Service

• Minimize customer downtime through effective Vehicle Off Road order management.
• Improve stock availability at branch level.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to resolve supply-related service concerns.
• Support consistent customer satisfaction through reliable inventory operations.

Candidate Profile

Al-Futtaim Automotive is looking for an analytical and commercially aware material management professional with experience in inventory planning, replenishment and supply chain operations. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to balance stock availability with working capital efficiency while coordinating inventory requirements across multiple business units and sales channels. Experience using ERP systems, Syncron and business intelligence tools will be important for monitoring inventory performance and supporting data-driven decisions. The position requires someone who can lead material planners, coordinate with OEMs and vendors, identify operational improvement opportunities and maintain a strong focus on customer service. Candidates with automotive parts knowledge and practical experience managing inventory operations will be particularly well suited to the role.

About Al-Futtaim Automotive

Al-Futtaim Automotive operates within Al-Futtaim Group and provides automotive products and services across multiple business segments. Its activities include vehicle sales, aftersales services and related mobility operations. Effective material management and inventory planning support the availability of automotive parts, operational efficiency and customer service across the business.

About Al-Futtaim Group

Established in the 1930s and headquartered in Dubai, Al-Futtaim is a diversified privately held regional business operating across more than 20 countries. The Group employs more than 40,000 people and represents over 200 international brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE and Marks & Spencer. Its business activities span automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare. Al-Futtaim focuses on digital innovation, sustainable growth and strategic partnerships to create long-term value for customers, communities and business partners.