Planner | Retail | Watsons UAE

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

Job summary

A leading regional business in Dubai seeks a Retail Planner to optimize stock levels and drive profitability. Responsibilities include managing OTB and margins, forecasting sales, and collaborating with teams. Ideal candidates have a degree and 3+ years in retail planning, with strong analytical and leadership skills. Join us to contribute to our growth and commitment to excellence.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in retail planning, ideally in beauty.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• Ability to analyze sales and inventory data effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage OTB, stock, sales, and margin for optimal performance.
• Forecast sales weekly and manage markdown strategies.
• Collaborate with various teams to optimize product offerings.

Skills

Strategic planning

Analytical skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Retail systems knowledge

Strong communication

Decision-making

Leadership

Collaboration

Results-driven mindset

Customer focus

Education

College or university graduate

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 171289

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. Our entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable us to continue to grow and expand, responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

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

Overview Of The Role

Manages OTB, stock, sales, and margin at a detailed level to maximize sales and minimize inventory levels.

What You Will Do

Delivering Top Line Performance and Profitability

• Sets overall guidelines for margin by product area and ensures processes are established to analyze margin deviation.
• Forecasts weekly sales and margin by store and region, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Manages markdown and promotional strategies to ensure margin is maintained to achieve bottom line.
• Owns and manages Good/Better/Best pricing strategies.
• Drives the Business Planning process for the brand to arrive at the budgeted sales & margin (BP).
• Monitors sales, margin achieved versus BP and LE.
• Ensures forecast accuracy within +/- 10%.
• Tracks Gross Margin %, Markdown %.

Manages OTB, inventory levels, and stock turn

• Oversees full OTB process, sell-through, and markdown policy. Proactively manages sales, inventory, and margin through effective range planning.
• Provides accurate OTB plans for each category to maximize sell-through.
• Forecasts intakes aligned with OTB for accurate weekly stockholding by brand.
• Creates and manages category planning.
• Manages store clustering and stock distribution.
• Creates, manages, and maintains MSSI/WSSI reports.
• Ensures timely deliveries and optimal inventory levels across markets.
• Manages stock profile to minimize aged inventory.
• Tracks availability, forward cover, aging %, aging liability, and provisions.
• Monitors closing stock, cost, and units.
• Plans intake phasing.
• Ensures OTB planning accuracy.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborates with buying team to develop profitable assortment ranges.
• Works with Financial Planner to forecast budgets and estimates by region and store.
• Builds and manages range plans, controlling OTB.
• Coordinates with Buying, Retail, VM, Operations, and Wholesale to optimize product offerings and sales opportunities.
• Collaborates with Marketing, Operations, and Brand teams to align on promotional calendars and markdown strategies.
• Conducts regular stakeholder meetings to drive results.
• Supports and mentors team members to develop future managers.
• Provides periodic updates and maintains effective stakeholder relationships.

SAP Inventory Management & Reporting

• Ensures SAP is maintained and operating effectively for inventory management.
• Develops and publishes reports for management decision-making.
• Supports expansion efforts with sales estimates and stock planning.
• Identifies and addresses gaps in inventory control processes.
• Enforces robust inventory policies and SOPs, ensuring efficient replenishment in SAP.

Required Skills To Be Successful

Job-specific skills include strategic planning, analytical skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and knowledge of retail systems. Behavioral competencies include strong communication, decision-making, leadership, collaboration, managing complexity, influencing others, initiative, talent development, results-driven mindset, customer focus, strategic thinking, trend awareness, sales focus, and eagerness to learn.

What Equips You For The Role

Minimum qualifications: College or university graduate. Minimum experience: 3+ years in retail planning, ideally in beauty.

We encourage you to read the full job description carefully, craft a personalized CV, and demonstrate why this opportunity aligns with your skills and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and excellence. We are committed to providing a positive candidate experience and will review all applications thoroughly.