Planning Manager | Retail

Tanqeeb; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Tanqeeb in the United Arab Emirates seeks an experienced Strategic Planning and Merchandise Planning leader to direct financial plans and collaborate with Buying and Operations teams for forecasting, assortment, and inventory strategies.

You will guide Planners, manage six-month Seasonal Merchandise Plans, review buys, optimize inventory, and lead MBR reporting across channels. The role requires strong analytics, team leadership, and Excel-based analysis.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills with ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Proven track record in leading teams and developing others.
• Commercial acumen to understand drivers of sales, margin, and inventory.
• Proficiency with merchandise planning systems and Excel-driven analysis.

Responsibilities

• Direct the development, execution, and communication of strategic merchandise financial plans.
• Partner with Buying & Operations teams to forecast, assort, and optimize inventory for sales and margin.
• Manage six-month Seasonal Merchandise Plans and guide Planners in development and defense of plans.
• Oversee receipts, weeks-of-supply targets, markdowns, and promotions to maximize gross margin.
• Lead Monthly Business Review (MBR) processes and present forecasts and results.
• Direct cross-channel inventory optimization and prepare department overviews for meetings.
• Coach Planners in Weekly Unit Plans, item programs, and field observations.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Team leadership

Commercial acumen

Excel-based analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

Merchandise planning systems

Excel

Job description

Strategic Planning

• Direct the development, execution, and communication of strategic merchandise financial plans.

• Partner with Buying & Operations teams to drive and maximize sales and margin through forecasting, assortment, and inventory strategies.

Merchandise Planning

• Manage six-month Seasonal Merchandise Plans in partnership with Buying and Sales Operations, ensuring alignment with company financial goals.

• Guide Planners in development, presentation, and defense of seasonal merchandise plans.

• Review and approve buy and reorder quantities to ensure the ideal assortment for sales and margin maximization.

Inventory Management

• Oversee receipts and inventory against targeted weeks-of-supply objectives.

• Collaborate with Merchandising to optimize receipt flow and maximize gross margin.

• Manage markdown and promotional strategies to effectively mitigate aged inventory.

Business Review and Reporting

• Manage the Monthly Business Review (MBR) process, guiding Planners for forecasting and reporting.

• Present top-line results and forecasts at MBR meetings.

• Create Conceptual Assortment Plans for design needs and customer choice counts.

Cross-Channel Collaboration

• Direct Planners to ensure optimal inventories across channels to serve customer needs.

• Prepare department overviews and monthly hindsight recaps for meetings.

• Apply lessons learned in trend responsiveness and framework adaptation.

Team Leadership and Development

• Guide Planners in developing Weekly Unit Plans and Key Item programs.

• Travel to stores for merchandise performance observation and team relationship building.

• Oversee sales performance and take corrective actions as needed.

Desired Candidate Profile

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Strong analytical and financial skills for translating data into actionable insights.

• Team leadership and people management capabilities.

• Commercial acumen to understand drivers of sales, margin, and inventory.

• Proficiency in merchandise planning systems and Excel-based analysis.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in a retail planning role.

• Demonstrated team leadership experience (2-4 years preferred).

• Proficiency with merchandise planning systems, forecasting, and Excel analysis.