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. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization 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 and every day
Overview of the role:
The Buying Assistant coordinates, executes and manages the activities of a buying department, classification or key programs, depending on scope and complexity, and assists the Category Buyer in developing, executing and communicating a product strategy that meets or exceeds financial goals.
What you will do:-
Description of Accountability:
Performance Analysis
- Assist and coordinate merchandizing and promotional activities to ensure successful execution
- Works with cross-functional team to ensure timely and accurate execution of new store assortments and quantities.
- Develops performance reports to determine appropriate allocation for maximum results.
- Develops in store stock analysis by size for key classifications i.e. Exclusive brands and other brands
- Handle queries from suppliers and work closely with suppliers to ensure timely submission on proposals
- Assist in price checks and obtain samples from suppliers
- Communicates out-of-stock concerns to the Buying and Planning teams
- Assist to communicate effectively with Operation and Trading Support for promotions and Trading activities
- Manages and checks PO created in SAP
- Raises shipment, PO discrepancy reports
Performance and Financial Goals Achievement
- Ensures timely and accurate execution of new store assortments as well as initial distributions and replenishment for existing locations
- Maintains correct stock levels by store
- Meets or exceeds sales, gross margin and inventory turn goals.
- Analyzes and communicates location performance, including sales/inventory comparisons, seasonality and marketing impacts.
- Develops departmental distribution strategies to capture location-based opportunities through quantifying volume and profit opportunities analysis.
- Follows product from receipt at the Distribution Centre, to point of allocation and complete receipt at store level. This is most important at floor set time periods
- Generate and review a range analysis report at the end of each phase/season to share successes and learn from any mistakes
Field Communication
- Participates in weekly cross-functional meetings to share information on current business issues
- Develops knowledge of regional variances and store attributes and trends through data analysis and field communication.
- Develops effective field relationships to capture location opportunities and / or liabilities
Required Skills to be successful:
- Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
- PC skills
- You must possess strong decision making skills.
- You will have excellent attention to detail.
- Results-driven
- Individual Accountability
- Communication & interpersonal skills
- Personal Integrity
- Strong analytical skills & problem solving skills
- Ability to follow-up on outstanding issues
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Ability to manage time & work under pressure
- Readiness to persevere with difficult tasks
- Ability to be assertive without being aggressive
- Able to focus and drive tasks to completion
What equips you for the role:
- Bachelor Degree (Masters Preferred)
- 6-7 years’ experience in similar field
- Proven ability to achieve goals.
- Thinking and Analytical Skills.
- Business Acumen
- Leadership Skills and Strategic Thinking
- Good communication skills
- Excellent relationship skills
- Accountability
About Al-Futtaim Retail
Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in Retail across the Middle East, Africa & Asia over the past 30 years. We have developed partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected Brands in the world including IKEA, ACE and Toys R Us in the Middle East and the Inditex Group of Brands (Zara, Mango, Bershka and P&B) across Asia. We are also one of the largest Global partners of Marks and Spencer’s in both regions with over 75 stores offering both fashion & food options.
Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse workforce which includes over 100 nationalities across 12 countries. Join us today and make a difference…
