Al-Futtaim Hiring for Senior Category Buyer Job at Dubai Full Time

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

Job Description

Senior Category Buyer | Watsons – Al Futtaim Retail | Dubai, UAE (137830)

Overview of the role

Responsible for supporting the Head of Buying with the development of business processes to maximize sales and gross margin objectives, while managing inventory objectives for specific brands. Develops strategic objectives to ensure long-term sustained growth.

What you will do

• Develop implement and deliver category plans including range reviews, promotions pricing and stock that are consistent with overall commercial strategy and financial objectives.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and implement marketing promotion plans and strategies that are relevant to category; adhere to legislation and brand guidelines’; and clearly and effectively communicate with the customer, driving footfall and profitable sales.
• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of promotions, taking appropriate action where necessary, and sharing best practice with peers and other stakeholders.
• Work with Exclusive Brands to develop and deliver exclusive products/ranges that deliver increased participation and meet agreed strategy and plans.
• Working in partnership with the planning team, agree merchandising strategy that drives and delivers right range in the right store; ensuring availability in store; and control of slow-moving stock.
• Identify and implement new product opportunities that are competitively priced, commercially viable and meet customer needs, driving sales and profitability.
• Manage and review pricing, ensuring pricing that is competitive and maximises profitability. Operate within Company pricing strategy.
• Working in conjunction with Planning team to ensure base sales and promotional forecasts are adhered to, whilst maintaining in-store availability to meet the customer’s needs.
• Develop effective internal working relationships with cross functional team members to support and enhance category objectives and performance
• Develop build and maintain effective external relationships to enhance the Watsons proposition and meet customer needs.
• Adopt appropriate negotiation strategies to attain the best terms for the category and the business.
• Category expert – utilise and continually develop knowledge in category products, competitors, and market activity to deliver increased category performance objectives.

Required skills to be successful

• Planning
• Organisation & Negotiation
• Supply chain management
• Merchandise management
• Good working knowledge of SAP
• High level of computer literacy and working knowledge of the logic and design of external data information platforms.

• Very strong commercial awareness, analytical, creative, and proven negotiation skills.
• Practice excellent time management skills and ability to cope under pressure

Behavioural Competencies:

• Uses sound judgment when making decisions
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to manage promptly and independently also unexpected events and issues
• Ability to identify priorities and organize and plan activities to ensure proper and timely execution
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Able to travel

What equips you for the role

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent preferred
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as a buyer in a retail environment in buying/purchasing/category management function
• Candidates with experience in Multibrands, Health and Beauty will be preferred

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…