Senior Merchandiser - Fashion Retail

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 201,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Group is hiring a Senior Merchandiser - Fashion Retail in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You will direct merchandising strategy across markets, stores and digital channels, controlling sales, cash margin, markdown and closing-stock performance through WSSI management and OTB investment.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least eight years of experience in fashion buying and merchandising, with regional exposure and travel willingness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Fashion, Retail or Merchandising.
• At least eight years in fashion buying and merchandising.
• Experience in WSSI, OTB, range planning and stock management.
• Experience across MENA markets; travel regionally and internationally when required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the annual Fashion business plan.
• Deliver agreed sales, cash margin, markdown and closing-stock objectives.
• Identify commercial opportunities that improve revenue and profitability.
• Own the WSSI and initiate corrective action when performance varies from plan.
• Build sales and margin plans by department, range, store and market.
• Manage OTB investment to improve sales and inventory productivity.
• Plan suitable space and stock levels across physical and digital channels.
• Balance investment between Core, Fashion Flow and Fashion products.
• Develop commercially relevant ranges for individual markets.
• Maintain Core availability while introducing sufficient seasonal newness.
• Manage size curves, colour balance, pricing architecture and option counts.
• Partner with Buying teams on seasonal selection and catalogue purchasing.
• Ensure buying decisions remain aligned with OTB and customer demand.
• Lead weekly trade reviews and define actions to improve performance.
• Direct first allocation and replenishment by product type and market.
• Develop promotional and markdown strategies that protect exit margin.
• Monitor competitors, pricing, fashion trends and customer behaviour.
• Use market visits and store feedback to identify risks and opportunities.
• Communicate seasonal priorities to commercial and operational stakeholders.
• Coach the merchandising team and support succession planning.

Skills

WSSI management

OTB planning

Fashion range planning

Sales and margin forecasting

Markdown and stock control

Product and catalogue selection

Size curve and price architecture

Allocation and replenishment

Promotional strategy

E-commerce merchandising

Competitor and customer analysis

Microsoft Excel

Retail planning and reporting tools

SAP retail systems

Merchandising team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Fashion, Retail, Merchandising or equivalent

Tools

SAP retail systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Senior Merchandiser - Fashion Retail Job Snapshot

• Role: Senior Merchandiser - Fashion Retail
• Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Industry: Apparel and Fashion
• Function: Merchandise Planning and Buying
• Experience: Minimum 8 years in fashion buying and merchandising
• Job Type: Full-time Position Overview Al-Futtaim Group is hiring a Senior Merchandiser - Fashion Retail in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for a commercial planning role within the Apparel and Fashion industry. The position will direct merchandising strategy across multiple markets, stores and digital channels. The Senior Merchandiser will control sales, cash margin, markdown and closing-stock performance through effective business planning, WSSI management and OTB investment. Close collaboration with Buying, Retail Operations, Visual Merchandising, Marketing, E-commerce and Supply Chain teams will ensure that commercially relevant products reach the correct markets at the right time.

Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Dubai Industry: Apparel and Fashion Function: Merchandise Planning and Buying Salary: AED 18000-26000 per month Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in Dubai; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time Job Requisition ID: 180217

Role Context Merchandising decisions directly influence revenue, margin protection and inventory productivity across the Fashion business. This role will translate customer demand and market intelligence into balanced ranges, disciplined purchasing decisions and effective stock deployment. The Senior Merchandiser will also lead the merchandising team, establish clear commercial priorities and maintain alignment between seasonal strategy and execution across stores and online channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the annual Fashion business plan.
• Deliver agreed sales, cash margin, markdown and closing-stock objectives.
• Identify commercial opportunities that improve revenue and profitability.
• Own the WSSI and initiate corrective action when performance varies from plan.
• Build sales and margin plans by department, range, store and market.
• Manage OTB investment to improve sales and inventory productivity.
• Plan suitable space and stock levels across physical and digital channels.
• Balance investment between Core, Fashion Flow and Fashion products.
• Develop commercially relevant ranges for individual markets.
• Maintain Core availability while introducing sufficient seasonal newness.
• Manage size curves, colour balance, pricing architecture and option counts.
• Partner with Buying teams on seasonal selection and catalogue purchasing.
• Ensure buying decisions remain aligned with OTB and customer demand.
• Lead weekly trade reviews and define actions to improve performance.
• Direct first allocation and replenishment by product type and market.
• Develop promotional and markdown strategies that protect exit margin.
• Monitor competitors, pricing, fashion trends and customer behaviour.
• Use market visits and store feedback to identify risks and opportunities.
• Communicate seasonal priorities to commercial and operational stakeholders.
• Coach the merchandising team and support succession planning.

Ideal Profile

Candidates should hold a bachelor 's degree in Business Management, Fashion, Retail, Merchandising or an equivalent discipline. At least eight years of experience in fashion buying and merchandising is required, preferably within a multi-market retail organisation. Applicants must demonstrate strong experience in WSSI, OTB, range planning, product selection, stock management and commercial trading. A successful record of managing sales, cash margin, markdown and closing-stock targets is essential. Experience across MENA markets is preferred, while exposure to international or European fashion brands would be advantageous. Candidates must have led merchandising teams and be willing to travel regionally and internationally when required.

Skills Set

• WSSI management
• OTB planning and investment
• Fashion range planning
• Sales and margin forecasting
• Markdown and stock control
• Product and catalogue selection
• Size curve and price architecture planning
• Allocation and replenishment
• Promotional strategy
• E-commerce merchandising
• Competitor and customer analysis
• Microsoft Excel
• Retail planning and reporting tools
• SAP retail systems
• Merchandising team leadership

Why Join Us

This position offers significant commercial influence within a large regional fashion retail operation. The successful candidate will shape product investment across different markets while working with established international brands and multiple customer channels. Al-Futtaim 's retail scale provides long-term stability and a clear platform for leadership growth. Exposure to regional markets, cross-functional teams and international product strategies will further strengthen the candidate 's commercial merchandising expertise.

About the Company

Al-Futtaim Group is a diversified, privately held regional business operating across automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare. The Group employs more than 35,000 people in over 20 countries and partners with more than 200 international brands.