Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Retail Management, or a related field, with 3-5 years of experience in merchandise planning, financial planning, or retail analysis, preferably within the fashion or multi-category retail sector. Proficiency in Excel and reporting tools, experience with planning systems (like JDA, Power BI, Tableau, SAP), strong analytical and numerical skills, and excellent communication and presentation abilities are essential. The role also requires the ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced retail environment.
Description
Job description / Role
Job Type
Full Time
Job Location
Dubai, UAE
Nationality
Any Nationality
Salary
Not Specified
Gender
Not Specified
Arabic Fluency
Not Specified
Job Function
Finance, Business Analysis & Consulting
Company Industry
Retail
About Al-Futtaim Group
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 Assistant Planning Manager plays a crucial role in supporting the planning function by developing accurate financial, sales, and inventory plans across multiple channels and markets. This position involves forecasting sales, margin, markdown, and inventory requirements to enable strong business performance and efficient stock management. Collaborating closely with Merchandising, Allocation, Retail, and Supply Chain teams, the Assistant Planning Manager ensures plans are aligned and executed accurately. Success in this role is measured by the ability to deliver sales and margin targets, manage markdown strategies effectively, and support strategic decision-making through robust analysis and reporting.
What you will do
Business plan and delivery
Responsible for planning annual business plan by market and business unit (BU).
Deliver weekly WSSI for clothing & home, food, and total business.
Execute markdown management.
Ensure robust and forward-thinking business plan.
Deliver sales, cash margin, markdown cost, and closing stock as per business plan.
Sales & financial planning
Support the development of seasonal and annual sales plans by market, store, category, and channel (retail, e-commerce, omnichannel).
Assist in building weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales forecasts, incorporating past performance, trends, and business drivers.
Prepare financial projections for gross profit, gross margin, markdown, and inventory.
Track performance versus plan and highlight risks or opportunities.
Understand market opportunities and lost opportunities from previous year by market and store.
Business unit sales planning
Support Planning Manager in business unit sales planning by season, incorporating new product strategies, forward-looking initiatives, and potential sales gaps from previous year.
Monitor performance against plan, identifying risks, opportunities, and corrective actions to optimize seasonal results.
Markdown & price optimization
Support markdown planning, price phasing, and promotional analysis.
Track sell-through and aging stock to recommend timely markdown actions.
Partner with Merchandising to ensure markdown strategy protects margin while achieving sell-through targets.
Ensure markdown spends are within the budget.
Maintain sell-through of sale line as per plan.
Ensure no sale products are sold below cost.
Reporting & analysis
Prepare weekly and monthly business performance reports including sales, margin, stock, and KPIs.
Analyze product, category, and store performance to support strategic decisions.
Identify business risks and provide insight-driven recommendations.
Ensure timely delivery of trade reports.
Cross-functional collaboration
Support Finance in validating forecasts and financial submissions.
Work with Buying and Merchandising team on weekly BU and department level planning.
System & process support
Maintain accurate planning data and product hierarchies in reporting systems.
Develop templates, dashboards, and presentations for planning reviews.
Required skills to be successful
Analytical thinking and attention to detail.
Strong financial and commercial acumen.
Data interpretation and problem-solving.
Advanced Excel and reporting skills.
What qualifies you for the role
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Retail Management, or related field.
3-5 years of experience in merchandise planning, financial planning, or retail analysis, preferably in fashion or multi-category retail.
Strong analytical and numerical skills, proficient in Excel and reporting tools.
Experience with planning systems (e.g., JDA, Power BI, Tableau, SAP, or similar).
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced retail environment.
About Al-Futtaim Retail
Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in retail across the Middle East, Africa & Asia over the past 30 years. We have developed partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected brands in the world including IKEA, ACE and Toys R Us in the Middle East and the Inditex Group of Brands (Zara, Mango, Bershka and P&B) across Asia. We are also one of the largest global partners of Marks and Spencer’s in both regions with over 75 stores offering both fashion & food options.
Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse workforce which includes over 100 nationalities across 12 countries. Join us today and make a difference…
About the Company
Established 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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