Merchandise Planning Manager – Fashion Retail Strategy Job Vacancy in UAE Dubai
Posted date [2025-03-22]
(ID: 33982)
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Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim is one of the most progressive regional family business houses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. |
Merchandise Planning Manager – Fashion Retail Strategy
Step into a strategic leadership role with Al-Futtaim Group in Dubai, where you will take full ownership of merchandise planning and drive top-line performance across retail operations. This is your chance to shape forecasting, inventory control, margin management, and commercial success for one of the region’s most prominent retail powerhouses.
Job Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job Industry: Retail – Fashion and Lifestyle
Job Function: Merchandise Planning and Inventory Management
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Negotiable
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Candidate Current Location: UAE preferred
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
Why Choose This Role with Al-Futtaim?
- Play a strategic role in driving profitability and sales in the fashion retail sector
- Work with global brands under a regionally respected conglomerate
- Gain exposure to cross-functional leadership in buying, retail, marketing, and operations
What Is the Role of a Merchandise Planning Manager?
A Merchandise Planning Manager is responsible for managing Open-to-Buy (OTB), sales forecasting, stock turnover, and markdown strategy across a portfolio of fashion brands. The role ensures optimal inventory levels, pricing strategy, and margin performance across all retail locations.
What Will You Be Responsible For?
Retail Strategy and Profitability
- Forecast sales and margins by region and store, identifying risks and growth opportunities
- Set pricing and promotional strategies to maximize bottom-line profitability
- Drive the business planning process to align sales and margin targets
- Oversee markdown policies and ensure optimal stock sell-through
Inventory Management and Planning
- Manage and review OTB plans for each category
- Create WSSI and MSSI reports to track stock movement and sales performance
- Control intake flow and ensure timely deliveries
- Plan store clustering and optimize stock distribution
- Maintain healthy stock profiles and minimize aged inventory
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Partner with buying teams for effective assortment and profitability
- Work with finance, retail operations, and VM teams to maximize sales
- Align with marketing and brand teams on promotional calendars and markdown events
- Lead allocators and assistants, providing mentoring and career development
SAP Inventory Reporting and Optimization
- Maintain inventory accuracy in SAP and ensure efficient replenishment systems
- Publish detailed inventory and sales reports for management
- Support new store expansions with demand planning and stock projections
- Identify gaps in inventory processes and implement improvements
What Qualifications and Experience Are Needed?
Education:
- University or college degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years of experience in retail merchandise planning
- Fashion retail experience is highly preferred
Skills:
- Strategic planning, sales forecasting, and analytical mindset
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP Inventory Systems
- Strong understanding of OTB, WSSI, and stock planning principles
- Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills
- Ability to manage complexity and drive results in a fast-paced retail environment
What Are the Key Benefits?
- Join a market-leading retail group with global brand partnerships
- Influence the merchandise strategy of top-performing fashion stores
- Gain exposure across MENA and Asia retail operations
- Enjoy career growth in a performance-driven environment
About the Company
Al-Futtaim Group is one of the most dynamic and diversified privately held businesses in the Middle East, headquartered in Dubai, UAE. With over 35,000 employees operating in more than 20 countries, Al-Futtaim represents over 200 of the world’s most innovative brands across industries including automotive, real estate, finance, healthcare, and retail. The Group’s retail division partners with iconic names like IKEA, Zara, Marks & Spencer, and many others to deliver customer-centric excellence in lifestyle and fashion. Al-Futtaim continues to lead the market through innovation, customer commitment, and operational excellence.
Step into a strategic leadership role with Al-Futtaim Group in Dubai, where you will take full ownership of merchandise planning and drive top-line performance across retail operations. This is your chance to shape forecasting, inventory control, margin management, and commercial success for one of the region’s most prominent retail powerhouses.
Job Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Job Industry: Retail – Fashion and Lifestyle
Job Function: Merchandise Planning and Inventory Management
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Negotiable
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Candidate Current Location: UAE preferred
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
Why Choose This Role with Al-Futtaim?
- Play a strategic role in driving profitability and sales in the fashion retail sector
- Work with global brands under a regionally respected conglomerate
- Gain exposure to cross-functional leadership in buying, retail, marketing, and operations
What Is the Role of a Merchandise Planning Manager?
A Merchandise Planning Manager is responsible for managing Open-to-Buy (OTB), sales forecasting, stock turnover, and markdown strategy across a portfolio of fashion brands. The role ensures optimal inventory levels, pricing strategy, and margin performance across all retail locations.
What Will You Be Responsible For?
Retail Strategy and Profitability
- Forecast sales and margins by region and store, identifying risks and growth opportunities
- Set pricing and promotional strategies to maximize bottom-line profitability
- Drive the business planning process to align sales and margin targets
- Oversee markdown policies and ensure optimal stock sell-through
Inventory Management and Planning
- Manage and review OTB plans for each category
- Create WSSI and MSSI reports to track stock movement and sales performance
- Control intake flow and ensure timely deliveries
- Plan store clustering and optimize stock distribution
- Maintain healthy stock profiles and minimize aged inventory
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Partner with buying teams for effective assortment and profitability
- Work with finance, retail operations, and VM teams to maximize sales
- Align with marketing and brand teams on promotional calendars and markdown events
- Lead allocators and assistants, providing mentoring and career development
SAP Inventory Reporting and Optimization
- Maintain inventory accuracy in SAP and ensure efficient replenishment systems
- Publish detailed inventory and sales reports for management
- Support new store expansions with demand planning and stock projections
- Identify gaps in inventory processes and implement improvements
What Qualifications and Experience Are Needed?
Education:
- University or college degree in Business, Retail Management, or a related field
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years of experience in retail merchandise planning
- Fashion retail experience is highly preferred
Skills:
- Strategic planning, sales forecasting, and analytical mindset
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAP Inventory Systems
- Strong understanding of OTB, WSSI, and stock planning principles
- Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication skills
- Ability to manage complexity and drive results in a fast-paced retail environment
What Are the Key Benefits?
- Join a market-leading retail group with global brand partnerships
- Influence the merchandise strategy of top-performing fashion stores
- Gain exposure across MENA and Asia retail operations
- Enjoy career growth in a performance-driven environment
About the Company
Al-Futtaim Group is one of the most dynamic and diversified privately held businesses in the Middle East, headquartered in Dubai, UAE. With over 35,000 employees operating in more than 20 countries, Al-Futtaim represents over 200 of the world’s most innovative brands across industries including automotive, real estate, finance, healthcare, and retail. The Group’s retail division partners with iconic names like IKEA, Zara, Marks & Spencer, and many others to deliver customer-centric excellence in lifestyle and fashion. Al-Futtaim continues to lead the market through innovation, customer commitment, and operational excellence.
