Retail Operations Assistant Manager

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:

• Interpersonal Skills.
• Problem analysis and problem-solving
• Technical knowledge
• Delighting Our Customers
• Collaboration
• Managing Complexity
• Influencing Others
• Taking Initiative
• Drive for Results
• Engaging Leadership
• Developing Talent

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:

The Retail Operations Assistant Manager will be accountable to maintaining and increasing the efficiency of Store Operations. Responsible for identifying cost improvement opportunities within the operation, working on key busines projects with senior stakeholders maximise store efficiency for betterment of customers and staff and lead the implementation of new processes to reform in store operations improving Service, Standards and across the business
Supports and assists the Head of commercial operations with trade and commercial planning, Works closely with Regional Managers and Store managers to deliver the business strategy.
Systematic planning, implementing, monitoring, and revision of all the channels of communication between stores and regional office. It also includes the organization and dissemination of new communication directives connected with all different departments of Marks and Spencer. The job holder will be responsible for the Store operations from process flow & improvements, technology, and vendor/solution selection in collaboration with stake holders.
This position is critical to the success of the M&S MENA operations which include the overall business growth strategy in Foods, the clothing & home goals and the shift in customers shopping habits. This will be achieved through shift in store operational processes delivering best practice through technology and experience.
The role is responsible for the stakeholder engagement with the Principle and the M&S department function leads. Markets covered are UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, KSA.

WHAT EQUIPS YOU FOR THE ROLE:

• Bachelor Degree (Masters Preferred)
• 5+ years’ experience in similar field.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels, including influencing senior stakeholders
• Resilience and confidence to drive and deliver cultural and behavioral change and develop at team of colleagues for the future
• Team player who can communicate effectively and build strong relationships in order to work confidently alongside a strong, high performing leadership team
• Desire to push boundaries and collaboratively make a difference
• Strong understanding of retail operational principles as well as the ability to analyse and interpret a range of commercial data to support decision making in order to drive sales performance
• Ability to work as part of a diverse and experienced store team and be confident to challenge peers and work collaborative
• Excellent numerical reasoning with statistical analysis preferred and uses data, customer insight and market analysis to plan and create a clear strategy
• Guides colleagues through change by involving them in the decision-making process, keeping them in the loop and asking for opinions
• Holds themselves and their teams accountable for delivering objectives and business targets
• Excellent presentation skills and the ability to simplify complex problems/messages
• Strong negotiation skills – the ability to influence a skeptical audience
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task
• High level of motivation, enthusiasm and persistence.
• Ability to be a change agent within the organisation.
• Highly analytical person with great precision and attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Working knowledge in SAP – ERP system (preferred) Good knowledge of MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint Strong analytical skills