Sr. Merchandiser (Buying & Planning) | Retail | UAE

Job Requisition ID: 182301 About Al-Futtaim Established in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim is one of the most diversified and progressive privately held regional businesses, headquartered in Dubai. Operating across more than 20 countries, the Group spans automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and health. With more than 40,000 employees, Al-Futtaim represents over 200 of the world’s most recognised brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE and Marks & Spencer. Driven by its purpose to enrich lives and elevate communities, Al-Futtaim focuses on digital innovation, AI, sustainable growth and strategic partnerships, creating long-term value for customers, communities and partners while building a responsible legacy for future generations. Overview of the Role The Senior Merchandiser is responsible for driving Sales, Gross Margin, and Inventory Performance across assigned categories. The role is accountable for delivering key commercial KPIs including Sales, Margin, Markdown Management, and Stock Optimization. The Senior Merchandiser leads Merchandise Planning, Open-to-Buy (OTB), Assortment Planning, Range Architecture, and Product Selection while supporting category growth and team development. This role works cross-functionally with Buying, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, and Brand Partners to ensure commercial success and a customer-focused product offer. What You Will Do: - BUSINESS PLANNING & DELIVERY OF KEY KPIs Sales & Profitability - Conduct post-season and in-season performance reviews to evaluate trading performance and identify opportunities. - Analyze sales, margin, stock, and market trends to develop annual business plans. - Support category strategy development aligned to business objectives. - Identify opportunities to drive sales growth, improve profitability, and optimize inventory productivity. - Monitor and deliver key financial targets including sales, gross margin, markdown cost, and stock turn. Margin Management - Maintain detailed understanding of category performance, customer trends, competitive landscape, and market dynamics. - Manage category WSSI (Weekly Sales Stock and Intake) plans. - Drive profitability through effective pricing, inventory controls, and markdown management. - Ensure healthy inventory levels while maximizing full-price sell-through. SALES & OPEN-TO-BUY (OTB) PLANNING - Develop sales, margin, and stock plans by category, department, and product line. - Create store and regional plans based on trading patterns and customer demand. - Optimize space allocation across stores to support business priorities. - Manage OTB budgets and inventory investments by category. - Balance seasonal fashion buys with core continuity ranges. - Support omnichannel and e-commerce assortment planning to maximize online sales performance. RANGE & ASSORTMENT PLANNING - Develop assortment plans that support customer demand and business objectives. - Manage core range architecture to maximize availability and continuity business. - Define size profiles and assortment strategies by market and store cluster. - Deliver a balanced Good-Better-Best pricing structure. - Ensure adequate depth on key volume-driving products. - Optimize assortment through analysis of color, style, trend, and customer preferences. - Build compelling product stories and category statements around key fashion trends and hero products. PRODUCT SELECTION & RANGE REVIEW - Prepare thoroughly for seasonal buying sessions and range reviews. - Collaborate closely with buying teams and suppliers to build commercially relevant assortments. - Develop and execute an effective Initial Buy Offer (IBO) strategy. - Make confident product and assortment decisions based on data, trends, and customer insight. - Review product performance continuously and adjust plans where required. - Support marketing initiatives through strategic product selections and opportunity buys. - Manage spend within agreed budgets. - Drive category margin optimization through effective assortment and pricing decisions. TRADING & INVENTORY MANAGEMENT - Lead regular trading reviews and action planning meetings. - Communicate key trading priorities and initiatives to stores and stakeholders. - Define and manage allocation strategies to ensure optimal stock placement. - Develop replenishment strategies tailored to product life cycles and market needs. - Execute promotional plans and seasonal trading activities. - Ensure key value messages and opening price points are effectively represented. - Drive proactive markdown planning and stock clearance activities. - Monitor stock health and take corrective actions to minimize inventory risks. MARKET & CUSTOMER INSIGHTS - Conduct regular competitor reviews and benchmark analysis. - Monitor market trends, fashion developments, and customer buying behavior. - Identify pricing opportunities and risks within the catego

Not explicitly separated as a distinct "Requirements" section in the posting. The role describes responsibilities and expectations across merchandising planning, open-to-buy, range planning, product selection, trading, inventory management, and market insights, which imply senior-merchandiser level qualifications but no explicit list of required years or credentials.