Planning Manager (Sales Planning & Forecasting) | Retail | M&S | UAE
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Key skills for this role
About the Role
Al-Futtaim Retail is hiring a Planning Manager for M&S in the UAE. The role involves driving financial and commercial performance through sales planning, forecasting, and markdown optimization across all channels.
Key Skills for This Role
Responsibilities
- Responsible for Planning the Annual Business Plan by Market and Business Unit
- Deliver Weekly WSSI for Clothing & Home, Food, and Total Business
- Execute Markdown Management
- Develop robust and forward thinking Business Plans
- Ensure achievement of Sales, Cash Margin, Markdown Cost, and Closing Stock as per Business Plan
- Lead accurate forecasting of Sales, Gross Profit, Gross Margin, and Markdown across all channels and regions
- Develop sales plans by market, store, and category, broken down by month, week, and day
- Monitor forecast versus actual performance, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions
- Partner with Merchandising, Buying, and Operations to translate financial plans into actionable strategies
- Own the markdown strategy across all regions and channels
- Prepare and deliver weekly sales and inventory reports by Business Unit, channel, and store
- Present financial results, forecasts, risks, and opportunities to senior leadership
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, or related field; Master’s preferred
- 5 8+ years of experience in retail planning, financial planning, or merchandising planning, ideally in fashion or multi channel retail
- Strong expertise in forecasting Sales, Gross Profit, Gross Margin, Markdown, and Aging Stock
- Proficiency in planning and BI systems (Excel, PowerBI, Tableau, SAP, Oracle/JDA, WSSI)
- Strategic Thinking & Commercial Acumen
- Analytical & Data Driven Decision Making
- Collaboration & Influencing Skills
- Planning & Prioritization
Full Job Posting
Overview of the Role
- The Planning Manager is a pivotal role responsible for driving financial and commercial performance across all channels and product categories
- Leading detailed sales planning and forecasting, the role integrates markdown strategies to optimize inventory and maximize full price sell through
- The position requires collaboration across multiple functions such as Merchandising, Buying, and Operations
- Success is measured by achieving key business KPIs, including sales performance, cash margins, markdown costs, and closing stock levels
What You Will Do
- Responsible for Planning the Annual Business Plan by Market and Business Unit
- Deliver Weekly WSSI for Clothing & Home, Food, and Total Business
- Execute Markdown Management
- Develop robust and forward thinking Business Plans
- Ensure the achievement of Sales, Cash Margin, Markdown Cost, and Closing Stock as per Business Plan
- Lead accurate forecasting of Sales, Gross Profit, Gross Margin, and Markdown across all channels (Fashion, Food, Digital) and regions
- Develop sales plans by market, store, and category, broken down by month, week, and day
- Monitor forecast versus actual performance, identifying variances and implementing corrective actions
- Partner with Merchandising, Buying, and Operations to translate financial plans into actionable strategies
- Accountable for Business Unit sales planning by season, incorporating new product strategies
- Own the markdown strategy across all regions and channels
- Develop markdown phasing and price reduction plans to maximize sell through
What Qualifies You For The Role
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Merchandising, or related field; Master’s preferred
- 5 8+ years of experience in retail planning, financial planning, or merchandising planning, ideally in fashion or multi channel retail
- Strong expertise in forecasting Sales, Gross Profit, Gross Margin, Markdown, and Aging Stock
- Proficiency in planning and BI systems (Excel, PowerBI, Tableau, SAP, Oracle/JDA, WSSI)
Required Skills To Be Successful
- Strategic Thinking & Commercial Acumen
- Analytical & Data Driven Decision Making
- Collaboration & Influencing Skills
- Planning & Prioritization
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