Strategic HR Business Partner, Retail Operations (Dubai)

Apparel Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 279,000 - 446,000; Full time

Job summary

Apparel Group is seeking an HR Business Partner in Dubai, UAE to provide strategic and operational HR support across assigned retail regions. You will partner with regional and store leadership to strengthen workforce stability, performance, engagement, and compliance while translating business priorities into practical people actions that support retail operations.

The role covers workforce planning, talent and performance management, employee relations, and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Partner closely with Regional Managers, Business Managers, and Store Managers on workforce and people priorities.
• Participate in regional business reviews and translate operational priorities into appropriate HR actions.
• Provide insights into manpower, attrition, productivity, and employee engagement trends.
• Act as the first point of contact for people-related escalations within the assigned region.
• Work with retail leadership to address workforce issues that could affect store performance.
• Maintain store-wise manpower mapping covering budgeted headcount, actual staffing, and workforce gaps.
• Identify critical vacancies and coordinate hiring priorities with the Talent Acquisition team.
• Monitor attrition patterns and recommend preventive actions where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate store mapping and active employee lists.
• Support workforce planning requirements across assigned retail operations.
• Support employee performance review cycles across the region.
• Identify high-potential Store Managers and potential future Business Managers.
• Identify performance concerns early and develop appropriate action plans with operations teams.
• Drive a structured induction and onboarding experience for employees within the region.
• Work with business leaders to support talent development and workforce continuity.
• Manage disciplinary cases, investigations, warnings, and terminations in accordance with established processes.
• Ensure HR policy compliance and accurate supporting documentation.
• Escalate high-risk employee relations matters through the appropriate channels.
• Maintain control over visa status, employment contract compliance, and employee documentation.
• Support consistent application of HR requirements across stores.
• Regular store visits and direct engagement with employees are central to the role.
• The HR Business Partner will conduct pulse-check conversations with store teams, identify workforce concerns, and address salary parity or benefit-related matters constructively.
• The position will also support local engagement initiatives aligned with the UAE HR strategy and maintain close contact with store leadership and employees.
• Provide weekly updates on manpower gaps and staffing requirements.
• Track and report employee attrition.
• Maintain visibility of active employee relations cases.
• Record and report completed store visits.
• Maintain clear HR documentation and tracking dashboards to support regional governance and follow-up.

Job description

Apparel Group is seeking an HR Business Partner in Dubai, UAE to provide strategic and operational HR support across assigned retail regions. You will partner with regional and store leadership to strengthen workforce stability, performance, engagement, and compliance while translating business priorities into practical people actions that support retail operations.

The role covers workforce planning, talent and performance management, employee relations, and engagement.