Brand Manager | Al Futtaim Retail | Premium Japanese Brand | Dubai

Job Requisition ID: 157986

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

Overview of the role:

The Brand Manager is responsible for driving top-line performance, full profit and loss accountability, consistent operational excellence and brand compliance across all stores. Ensures the achievement of all the tangible and intangible aspects of the Brand(s) handled. Ensures smooth interaction & healthy relations with principals. To achieve or exceed annual targets of NSV and GM and market share for the brand(s) via the various sale channels. Inputs to ensure satisfactory customer brand experience at Internal & External POS, provide promotional aids-to-sales, intensive interaction with sales personnel & to chart a brand positioning course in the UAE  in line  with both Principal & AFWJ strategy customer promise.

What you will do:

Budgeting & Sales accountability

• Plans the total seasonal purchase and guides the merchandisers by setting forward estimates for the different buying groups, considering several variables, such as selling space, trends, feedback from stores, etc
• Attends buying fairs along with Merchandisers and ensures that the right products are selected in terms of ways, depth, etc. to generate maximum profit for the business.
• Accountable for ensuring annual sales turnover and GM targets.

Product and stock Management

• Regularly works on new market trends, design and collection development, and merchandise planning for merchandise brands.
• Inventory management and timely stock liquidation minimizing impact to profit.

Buying Management

• Regularly monitors the merchandise stock levels. He/she analyses various reports (plan vs actual, viability of a particular item, stock cover, store cover, etc), gauges the merchandise performance (identify best/low sellers, etc) and then suggests/implements corrective measures.
• Needs to do channel-wise incentive schemes and promotions. Based on the above, may request an increase or decrease of budgets. Ensure optimum stock levels and minimum waste.

Pricing and Margins Management

• Evaluate the pricing of the merchandise before a season by doing a price simulation exercise, ensuring that the pricing delivers the margin target set.
• Do competition analysis and recommend price changes, if and when required so that they are in line with the market; Done to achieve set targets.

Principal Relationship

• Regularly communicates with Principals, maintaining a good working relationship with them. He/she negotiates prices, delivery plans, lead times, etc.
• Provides feedback in terms of product suitability to the local markets, suggesting changes, alternatives, and/or new specific products to be developed.

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

Degree holder

A business course in Merchandise Planning, Brand Management, Sales, Marketing and Promotions will be preferred

Minimum Experience:

Total experience of at least 8-10 years in the watches business, in luxury retailing company (preferably) in the category management/ brand management function.

Job-Specific Skills:

Computer Knowledge with expertise in Excel is a must

Advance exposure to retailing practices, promotions, and visual merchandising activities

Exposure in merchandise planning and brand management

Must have prior experience in managing relationships with large international Principals