Temporary (Maternity cover) - Retail Merchandising Manager

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

Job summary

A luxury retail brand is seeking a temporary Retail Merchandising professional in Dubai to cover maternity leave for 4-6 months. The role includes responsibilities in market knowledge, buying management, and product animation. Candidates must have 5-7 years of retail merchandising or buying experience, possess advanced analytical skills, and be detail-oriented. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, is essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of Retail Merchandising / Buying experience within a retail environment.
• Highly analytical with exceptional organizational and presentation skills.
• Excellent communication skills and detail-oriented in analyses.

Responsibilities

• Frequent store visits to acquire product expertise and analyze feedback.
• Collaborate on defining OTB for stores and monitor stock levels.
• Support the launch of new products and manage product transfers.

Skills

Retail Merchandising / Buying experience

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Advanced Excel knowledge

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This is a temporary position to cover a maternity leave, expected to run for approximately 4-6 months.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Market and Métier knowledge

• Frequent store visits to acquire product expertise, analyze feedback, and identify trends
• Monitor sales performance through both quantitative analyses and compiling qualitative feedback
• Undertake detailed analyses to understand business opportunities and risks
• Build action plans in close collaboration with Retail, Training, Customer Service, Metiers, and Europe Region to achieve ambitions
• Plan product feedback sessions and metier circles with ambassadors to collect key insights from each store and prepare for buying sessions
• Work closely with Retail Merchandising Director to update sales forecasts

OTB and Buying management

• Collaborate on defining OTB for stores in line with the subsidiary and Europe strategy and stock objectives for the year
• Monitor and control reorders to align with budgeted stock levels
• Propose a buying strategy and support physical stores in their buying to ensure a coherent offer that meets customer needs and enhances store identities, balancing novelties and bestsellers (assortments, PSI, novelties)
• Monitor PSI and replenishment in collaboration with the Planning team, proposing adjustments based on sales per store, assortment planning, and retail constraints

Product animation

• Support the launch of new products by collaborating with Training, Visual Merchandising, and Communications teams to ensure successful launches
• Work closely with VM team to optimise product visibility, create coherent VM stores, and highlight products as per business needs
• Contribute to the success of Animations and Events by ensuring appropriate product assortment, working with Customer Service for timely delivery, collaborating on VM plans, and providing tools to support the Retail team
• Manage product transfers and replenishment throughout the region to optimise sales and stock management
• Support in-store briefings for key products in collaboration with the Training team

Métiers & Europe Community partnership

• Share, implement, and adapt Europe strategy within the subsidiary, bringing forward best practices from the community
• Work closely with Métiers to implement their strategy locally and achieve growth ambitions
• Serve as the key liaison between Stores and Métiers: share feedback and key information

REQUIREMENTS

• 5-7 years of Retail Merchandising / Buying experience within a retail environment
• Highly analytical with exceptional organisational and presentation skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work with Retail teams and liaise with Corporate teams
• Detail-oriented in analyses but synthetic and action-focused when sharing insights
• Business and service-oriented, proactive, and innovative in proposing ideas
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills