Merchandiser - Sports Retail Inventory and Allocation

GMG Gulf; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

GMG Sports in Dubai is seeking an experienced Merchandiser to manage stock distribution and assortment execution across its retail network. You will coordinate replenishment, track performance, and work with Buying and Store Operations to ensure the right products reach stores at the right time.

The role emphasizes data-driven stock decisions, seasonal launch support, and collaboration across Planning, Allocation and Supply Chain teams to optimize sell-through and inventory productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business.
• A degree in Retail Management is preferred.
• 4 years of experience in merchandising roles.
• Experience in sports retail and inventory management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate stock deliveries according to schedules and seasonal launch dates.
• Monitor inbound stock movement with Supply Chain teams.
• Track incoming inventory and support product launches.
• Manage daily store replenishment to maintain product availability.
• Review stock availability by SKU and size across stores.
• Monitor inventory performance against defined indicators.
• Provide actionable insights to improve inventory productivity.

Skills

Merchandising

Inventory management

Analytics

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business

Retail Management degree preferred

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Merchandiser - Sports Retail Inventory and Allocation Job Snapshot - Role: Merchandiser - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Retail - Function: Merchandise Planning and Buying - Experience: 4 years of merchandising experience, including experience in sports retail and inventory management - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview: GMG is seeking an experienced Merchandiser to support stock management, product allocation and inventory performance across its Sports division. The role focuses on ensuring that stores receive the right products, quantities and sizes at the right time. You will manage stock movement, monitor product availability, coordinate replenishment and use sales performance data to improve inventory productivity and sell-through. Working closely with Buying, Allocation, Supply Chain and Store Operations, you will help execute seasonal product launches, maintain appropriate stock levels and support commercial performance across the store network. The successful candidate will bring four years of merchandising experience, a background in sports retail and strong analytical skills. You should be comfortable working with detailed sales and inventory information, identifying trading opportunities and coordinating timely actions across teams.

Job Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Dubai
• Industry: Retail
• Function: Merchandise Planning and Buying
• Salary: Not disclosed
• Gender: No Preference
• Candidate Nationality: Not specified
• Job Type: Full Time
• Work Arrangement: On-site

Stock Flow and Inventory Management

• Coordinate stock deliveries according to agreed schedules and seasonal launch dates.
• Work closely with Supply Chain teams to monitor inbound stock movement.
• Track incoming inventory and follow up on deliveries required for product launches.
• Manage daily store replenishment activities to maintain product availability.
• Coordinate stock transfers between stores based on sales demand and inventory requirements.
• Monitor inventory performance against defined stock management indicators.
• Review product availability at SKU and size level.
• Identify stores experiencing excess stock or incomplete size ranges.
• Take timely action to protect sales opportunities in high-performing stores.
• Review global inventory availability daily and initiate replenishment orders when appropriate.
• Monitor aging inventory and coordinate transfers to factory outlets to support stock liquidation.
• Ensure new stores receive the correct product assortment according to the range plans provided by the Buying team.

Sales Analysis and Trading Performance

• Analyze daily, weekly and monthly sales and inventory reports.
• Review performance by product, store and territory.
• Identify sales trends, stock concerns and opportunities for immediate trading action.
• Conduct weekly and monthly performance reviews with Category Planners and Buyers.
• Present findings and recommend corrective actions to improve inventory productivity.
• Define and monitor weeks of supply (WOS) indicators by store and category.
• Use WOS analysis to maintain an appropriate balance between stock availability and sales demand.
• Monitor sell-through performance and identify opportunities to improve stock allocation.
• Forecast inventory requirements ahead of major commercial periods.
• Coordinate stock availability for seasonal launches, promotional sales and events.
• Recommend inventory adjustments based on trading performance and expected demand.

Pre-Buying Analysis and Seasonal Planning

• Provide detailed sell-through analysis to support future buying decisions.
• Review rate of sale (ROS) information at country and store level.
• Identify product and category performance trends.
• Support seasonal performance reviews using historical sales and inventory data.
• Prepare recommendations based on the results of completed trading seasons.
• Evaluate store performance to support future assortment decisions.
• Grade stores and retail networks by category to establish allocation priorities.
• Share relevant findings with Buyers and Category Planners.
• Support data-driven planning for upcoming product ranges and seasonal collections.

Store Allocation and Assortment Execution

• Coordinate stock allocation priorities across the store network.
• Guide Allocators on replenishment requirements and stock movement decisions.
• Provide clear action plans based on sales performance and inventory availability.
• Monitor assortment execution against approved range plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve product availability in individual stores.
• Review size distribution and product assortment at store level.
• Coordinate corrective stock movements where required.
• Support effective use of available retail space through appropriate inventory distribution.

Store Visits and Operational Collaboration

• Conduct regular store visits to review product assortment and stock availability.
• Assess whether merchandising execution aligns with the agreed strategy.
• Gather feedback from Store Operations teams.
• Identify operational factors affecting product availability and sell-through.
• Collaborate with store teams to address merchandising concerns.
• Recommend practical improvements based on observations from store visits.
• Support initiatives that improve customer satisfaction through better product availability.
• Maintain effective communication between merchandising and store operations.

Reporting and Business Support

• Prepare timely merchandising and inventory performance reports.
• Provide actionable insights and recommendations to the Category Manager.
• Support product range planning through sales and inventory analysis.
• Contribute to distribution planning using store and category performance information.
• Highlight stock risks and commercial opportunities.
• Recommend solutions to improve inventory productivity and sales performance.
• Maintain accurate reporting at store, product and size level.
• Ensure merchandising information is available to support business decisions.

Team Guidance and Performance Management

• Work with team members to establish clear objectives and performance targets.
• Align individual responsibilities with departmental and organizational goals.
• Provide guidance to improve stock management and allocation execution.
• Mentor team members and support their professional development.
• Encourage effective communication and collaboration within the team.
• Monitor progress against agreed performance indicators.
• Apply structured performance management practices to identify improvement areas.
• Help resolve operational challenges affecting team performance.
• Support continuous improvement in merchandising processes and working practices.

Education

• Bachelor 's degree in Business.
• A degree in Retail Management is preferred.
• A postgraduate qualification is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• 4 years of experience in merchandising roles.
• Experience working in the sports retail industry.
• Practical experience in inventory management.
• Understanding of retail stock flow, replenishment and allocation activities.
• Experience analyzing sales and inventory performance.
• Familiarity with product assortment planning and store-level merchandising requirements.

Technical and Functional Skills

• Proficiency in merchandising systems and reporting tools.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to work accurately with store, SKU and size-level information.
• Understanding of inventory performance indicators.
• Ability to analyze sell-through and rate of sale.
• Familiarity with weeks of supply calculations and stock productivity measures.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Ability to translate sales and inventory findings into practical trading actions.
• Confidence preparing reports and communicating recommendations.

Planning and Execution

• Strong organizational and task management skills.
• Ability to execute merchandising activities accurately and on time.
• Effective follow-through on assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to prioritize stock movements and replenishment activities.
• Confidence working with seasonal deadlines and product launch schedules.
• Ability to respond quickly to changing sales and inventory conditions.
• Practical approach to resolving stock availability concerns.

Communication and Collaboration

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong written communication abilities.
• Ability to work effectively with Buying, Allocation, Supply Chain and Store Operations teams.
• Confidence presenting inventory findings and recommendations.
• Ability to provide clear instructions and guidance to Allocators.
• Collaborative approach to resolving merchandising and operational issues.
• Ability to coordinate priorities across different business functions.

Preferred Professional Certifications

The following certifications are advantageous:

• Certified Retail Merchandiser.
• Advanced Excel Certificate.
• SAP ERP Certification.
• Data Analysis Certificate.
• Project Management Certificate.

Key Competencies

• Strong commercial awareness.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Attention to inventory accuracy and product availability.
• Ability to identify and act on sales opportunities.
• Effective planning and prioritization.
• Strong execution and accountability.
• Team guidance and performance monitoring.
• Ability to manage competing operational priorities.
• Commitment to improving stock productivity and sell-through.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

About the Role at GMG Sports

The Merchandiser contributes to the commercial performance of GMG 's Sports division by supporting effective inventory distribution and assortment execution across the retail network. The position requires close coordination with buying, planning and store operations teams to ensure stock decisions reflect customer demand and store performance. Through accurate reporting, timely replenishment and effective inventory allocation, the role supports improved product availability, efficient stock utilization and profitable retail operations.

About GMG

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