Head of Merchandise

Majid Al Futtaim invites you to join us in our quest to create great moments for everyone, everyday We are the leading shopping mall, residential communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, serving over 560 million visitors a year. For the past two decades, we have shaped the consumer landscape across the region, transforming the way people shop, live and play, while maintaining a strong sustainability track record and the largest mall in the world to attain LEED Gold EBOM Certification. We have over 40,000 team members in 15 international markets representing over 100 nationalities - all keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do. If you enjoy being BOLD, PASSIONATE and TOGETHER, then Majid Al Futtaim is the destination for you.

**Role Purpose**:
The Head of Merchandise is responsible for supporting sales development through visual merchandising and brand visibility at the point of sale while setting forward estimates for the different buying groups, considering a number of variables, such as selling space, trends, feedback from stores. The role holder is responsible for ensuring the quality and efficiency of the stores while managing all suppliers.

**Role Details - Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities**:
**Planogram**
- Collaborate closely with store’s team to ensure optimal execution of Planograms
- Ensure all stock is merchandised and displayed according to standards

**Merchandising Strategy**
- Maintain contacts with the vendors in order to ensure timely delivery of goods and ensure inventory plans are executed to meet the required standards
- Partner with merchants to forecast the future trends and predict exact demand while ensuring that products are delivered on time
- Manage and develop effective weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly merchandise plans.
- Lead and oversees the buying requirements and formulate a buying plan and budget for the brand/category and ensures proper monitoring of orders
- Coordinates regular meetings with Operation Managers/Store Managers to share insights arising from market dynamics and brand/category performance
- Assist in communicating comprehensive product and financial strategies while overseeing pricing procedures
- Ensure accurate execution of in-store visual merchandising standards and guidelines
- Ensure all products are available within brand range
- Ensure all visual equipment is safely stored and kept in good condition
- Collaborate with all stakeholders to deliver a strong and consistent brand image within the store
- Ensure promotions and best-selling products are featured in key locations in the store
- Support the creation of a merchandising / design criteria in line with the design guidelines

**Training and Product Knowledge**
- Maintain detailed knowledge of the products in store
- Participate in the trainings workshops to demonstrate best practice when displaying new items
- Develop a merchandising manual guideline for stores
- Maintain an updated list of all branding elements, with exact dimensions for each product
- Research local trade shows to source new ideas in the field of merchandising

**Policies and Procedures**
- Manage the implementation of the merchandising design criteria
- Implement the MAF Retail values in the assigned area of responsibility and ensure that it is adhered to and exhibited

**Collaboration**
- Collaborate closely with Replenishment Team to ensure that layouts reflect inventory levels
- Develop replenishment strategies to elevate business revenue
- Collaborate with the Marketing department for the development of the promotion leaflet

**Human Capital Responsibilities**
- Proactively identify and seek professional development opportunities to improve leadership and technical skills pertaining to the direct line of work
- Provide training and feedback to direct reportees when required

**_Disclaimer: This role description reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the principal responsibilities of the role identified and shall not be construed as an exhaustive description of all the work requirements inherent to success in the role._**

**Definition of Success
- Implementation of planogram and visual display design
- Efficient pricing strategies
- Coordinating buying plan
- Communicating product and financial strategies
- Identification and resolution of store violations
- Implementation of product training programs
- Implementation of design guidelines

**Personal Characteristics and Required Background**:
**Minimum Qualifications/education**
- Bachelor’s Degree in Administration or Marketing

**Minimum experience**
- 7+ years in a similar position

**Skills**
- Strong planning and organization
- Product/category/brand knowledge
- Industry Knowledge
- MS Office and tools
- Analytical skills
- Excellent communication and presentations