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 A"rab 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 organisation 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.Overview of the roleThe Buyer is responsible for achieving all the goals & targets relating to merchandise, i.e. range planning and assortment, range structure, number of articles, width and depth of the range, sales targets, pricing and gross margins, number of suppliers, negotiation & trading terms, assortment planning, planogram cycle, and implementation of the promotional/seasonal strategy of the business across all territories. They will work in tandem with the Category Head and other Product Managers to build the assortment and achieve the business goals.Required to work cross functionally across departments to forecast the needs of the business and make decisions based on customer and market trends and sales, ensuring high levels of newness is constantly being introduced while managing effective inventory and stock controls.What you will doRange Selection
- All merchandise \'planning\' follows the "think/plan/buy/move and sell" principle ensuring the process is adhered to at all times.
- Merchandise assortments follow the good/better/best principle.
- Ensures that \'Category Management\', encompassing the above, through to in-store Planograms & layouts are followed and adheres to the process
- Sets the Product Category range priorities in accordance with the overall merchandise strategy and is agreed with the Head of Category and GM.
- Keeps updated about local market conditions and requirements in each territory, such as "taste levels", developing trends, competitor growth & customer buying habits as well as product acceptability. All these factors are used to ultimately arrive at a decision regarding range selection and the width & depth of the different product areas within the range.
- Ensures the range is selected, priced & delivered, taking account of the product lifecycle as well as our supply chain and warehousing capabilities.
- Maintaining 96% in-store product availability on 4,500 \'A\' lines (approx 65% of sales)Product Forecast and Merchandise Management
- Maintains ongoing communication with the ACE Regional Warehouses (Shanghai and Jebel Ali, as well as the ACE RSC in Long Beach, California), regarding all issues related to the \'ACE sourced\' product range & product forecasts.
- Ensures that sales forecasts are adapted to sales patterns in order to achieve an optimal goods flow.
- Works closely with the 3PL partner & Planning & Business Analytics. Reviews performance of merchandise, plans vs. actual, viability of a particular item, stock cover etc. Based on analysis raises awareness of any product that may not be performing and plans for promotions, price cuts etc. Also identifies \'best sellers\' and ensures that stock cover for these is adequate & reflects sales projections.
- Ensures that product newness is maintained, i.e. that new products are introduced in a timely manner and discontinued ranges are cleared in an effective manner through part sale and other \'clearance\' or promotional activities thereby ensuring that the aged stock profile & \'quality\' of stock is kept to a minimum.
- Ensures the OTB is set and managed and whether it is being operated by the buying or store teams is always in line with expectations.
- Ensures the \'Promotional Strategy\' is delivered, with the target sell through being achieved and has a full understanding of how they\'ll deliver the promotional buying brief.Gross Margin Management
- Sets the pricing strategy for the ACE category range in each territory and guarantees re-enforcement of the \'ACE Value\' perception building items, when setting prices of the ACE range.
- Sets overall guidelines for margin exploitation by product area and ensures processes are established to analyse margin deviation. Is primarily responsible for the periodic Gross Profit Simulation exercise for each territory to make sure that pricing delivers the margin/ profit goals agreed...
- Maintains a strategic communication link with ACE International regarding all matters relating to costs.
- Evaluates the pricing of the total range prior to the \'season\' start, ensuring prices are in line with set targets and market conditions.
- Achieve cost benefits throughout the supply chain by taking strategic buying decisions.
- Additionally has the responsibility to make certain that overall margin goals are met irrespective of clearance sale and promotional activities. Manages the \'blended\' margin.Supply Chain Management
- Works closely with the Demand Planning & Business Analytics team in defining, establishing and developing the supply chain operation i.e. as in realising benefits in sourcing directly from suppliers as opposed to the Regional Distribution Center in Jebel Ali & USA.
- Ensures that all objectives/ metrics are delivered including quality, quantity, cycle time and cost through development and execution of strategic and tactical initiatives.
- Works with the Planning & Business Analytics teams in planning the flow of merchandise for ACE in line with the overall volume goals set and with the purpose of maintaining stock as per requirements of the business.
- Maps the ordering process, the frequency of placing re-orders, and the use of warehousing facilities in a manner that the handling costs are kept to the lowest and lead times of the products are optimized.
- Optimises all the benefits of SAP ECC6 and ensures that the \'system\' is allowed to operate unhindered.
- All merchandise ordering is \'managed\' by SAP whether local/domestic or import, based on \'rules\' agreed and set by the JH.
- Has responsibility for category stock availability at country level.Supplier/Vendor Management
- Decides the budget goals for suppliers at country level.
- Has total accountability in agreeing (with Head of Category) and setting supplier numbers
- Ensures that supplier measures are incorporated into supplier management & that \'Trading Terms\' are negotiated and are in place for all chosen (approved) suppliers.
- Ensures that (as part of negotiations) faulty goods/swell allowances are in place as well as all forms of \'margin support\'
- Accountable for supplier capability assessmentsBusiness Development
- Plays a key role in the construction of merchandise assortment plans by country. During the pre-project & project stages plays a key role in the following activities: (1)Analyse the feasibility of the product range that can be sold and safeguards that the products are tested and in line with local legislation (2) Detailed competitor & market analysis (3) Study to guarantee compliance with import regulations (4) Brand positioning (5) Decides the pricing strategy & gross margin goals (6) Oversees the merchandise ordering & flow lines (7) Specifies the changes required in SAP to cater to new country requirements.System development & Co-ordination with different functions
- Plays a vital role in developing and maintaining system processes relating to the buying & supply chain elements of SAP.
- Together with the Category Head and ACE Marketing Manager defines the commercial activities/ plans for the ACE business and ensures 100% availability of all selected product as per the marketing schedule.
- Plays a key role in the SAP and BI \'reporting\' development in collaboration with Retail IT/STS.
- Plays a \'driving\' role in developing the yearly "Outdoor" and "DIY" catalogues for the local markets, ensures that availability meets targets for catalogue launch.
- Works closely with the Operations Manager to secure the optimal range presentation in all stores.
- Facilitates the close interaction of the Buying team with the store teams to ensure that commercial priorities and feedback is ongoing.Requirements: Required skills to be successful
- Very good skills in planning, organisation & negotiation; Good skills in 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.
- Behavioural Competencies: Should have a high level of market awareness, analytical ability, decision making, strategic thinking, teamwork & leadership.What equips you for the roleEducation:
- Graduate (Preferably Commerce, Economics, Business Admin); Specialisation in Retail purchasing & supplier management.Minimum Experience and Knowledge:
- 1-3 years experience within a buying/purchasing/category management function, preferably in DIY / Home improvementWe\'re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.Before you click "apply": Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.ABOUT THE COMPANYEstablished in the 1930\'s, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940\'s and 50\'s saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.

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