Merchandiser - Sports

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global well-being company is seeking an experienced individual to support merchandising efforts within the Sports division. The role involves managing product assortments, monitoring stock levels, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive sales and profitability. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills and experience with ERP systems, preferably SAP.

Qualifications

• Experience in merchandising or related field.
• Ability to analyze sales data and market trends.
• Strong decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage product assortments to align with market trends.
• Monitor stock levels and coordinate with inventory teams.
• Generate reports analyzing merchandising performance.
• Collaborate with buying team for product selection.
• Liaise with suppliers for effective delivery management.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Excellent organizational skills

Communication abilities

Proficiency in ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Tools

SAP

Job description

Overview

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 world's 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 Sita's, and McCain.

Role Summary

The incumbent will support GMG's merchandising efforts within the Sports division, ensuring product assortments, inventory levels, and strategies align with market trends and customer expectations. The incumbent will execute merchandising plans to drive sales, profitability, and inventory efficiency. Collaborating with buying, planning, and supply chain teams, the incumbent will contribute to commercial goals by leveraging market insights, sales data, and consumer trends. All merchandising activities will reflect GMG's brand standards and enhance the overall customer experience.

Responsibilities

• The incumbent will manage and curate product assortments, ensuring alignment with seasonal trends, market demands, and customer preferences to drive sales and profitability.
• The incumbent will continuously monitor stock levels, coordinating closely with supply chain and inventory teams to mitigate risks of stockouts, overstocking, and obsolescence.
• The incumbent will work collaboratively with the buying team to strategically select products, ensuring timely and efficient delivery that supports promotional calendars and key retail milestones.
• The incumbent will generate and maintain detailed reports analyzing merchandising performance, utilizing advanced tools and software to track inventory, sales metrics, and market trends.
• The incumbent will evaluate sales data to inform future buying and assortment decisions, ensuring financial targets are met or exceeded.
• The incumbent will liaise with suppliers and vendors to manage lead times, negotiate terms where necessary, and resolve any discrepancies or delivery issues promptly.
• The incumbent will also collaborate with marketing teams to support product launches, seasonal campaigns, and promotional activities, ensuring cohesive brand representation across all customer touchpoints.
• Additionally, the incumbent will contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the merchandising function, recommending process enhancements and participating in cross-functional projects that support GMG's strategic goals.

People Management

The incumbent is responsible for setting clear objectives and performance targets in collaboration with team members, ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals. This role involves actively mentoring, guiding, and providing direction to the team to cultivate skill development, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement. The incumbent applies structured performance management practices to monitor progress, troubleshoot issues, and drive the team towards achieving periodic KPIs. Through strategic oversight and regular feedback, the incumbent fosters a results-oriented environment, empowering the team to meet and exceed established benchmarks while supporting both individual and collective growth.

Functional / Technical Competencies

• The incumbent will demonstrate strong analytical skills, leveraging advanced tools to monitor inventory levels, sales performance, and market trends.
• The incumbent's understanding of customer behavior and purchasing patterns will guide data-driven product selection and promotional strategies.
• The incumbent will possess excellent organizational skills, enabling them to manage multiple product categories, tasks, and deadlines effectively.
• The incumbent will exhibit strong communication abilities, ensuring clear and efficient collaboration with cross-functional internal teams and external partners, including suppliers.
• The incumbent will be proficient in using ERP systems, preferably SAP, and advanced Excel for reporting and analysis.
• The incumbent will also demonstrate sound decision-making abilities to respond to changing market demands and operational challenges.
• The incumbent will consistently uphold GMG's merchandising standards and contribute to the team's overall efficiency and success.

Department Buying and Merchandising

Locations Dubai

Job Type Back-Office

Division Sports

Contract Type Full-time