Category Manager/ Buyer

at  AlFuttaim

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

REQUIRED SKILLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL

• Strong analytical skills
• Very strong commercial awareness and creative skills.
• Proven negotiation skills.
• Decisive and able to work in a super fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Display delegation skills, priorities within delegated tasks and manage deadlines.
• Practice excellent time management skills and ability to cope under pressure

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND KNOWLEDGE:

Education: Must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree/ Professional Degree/ Post Graduate or equivalent.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of 5 years of experience as a Buyer in a retail environment (Health and Beauty)
Preferably someone with experience in Retail.

Behavioral Competencies :

• Uses sound judgment when making decisions
• Act with integrity and respect
• Adapt to changes required by the business
• 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

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:

The Jobholder will be responsible for supporting the Head of Commercial with the development of the Health & Lifestyle Category to maximize sales and gross margin objectives while managing inventory objectives for specific brands. Develops strategic objectives to ensure long-term sustained growth across all markets.

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 relevant to the 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 practices 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 on a merchandising strategy that drives and delivers the right range in the right store; ensures availability in the store; and controls 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 maximizes profitability. Operate within the Company pricing strategy.
• Working in conjunction with the 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.