Requirements
The role requires leadership and store management experience, particularly with leading food retailers. Strong visual merchandising skills with coaching abilities are essential. Proven communication skills to influence senior stakeholders and robust commercial acumen for problem-solving under pressure are also necessary.
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
Sales - Retail
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 Food Trading Manager plays a pivotal role in maximizing trading opportunities across the MENA region for Al-Futtaim's Food Business Unit. This position involves collaborating with key stakeholders in stores and support centers, focusing on strategic implementation of trading initiatives and maintaining high merchandising standards. Key responsibilities include developing trading strategies, coaching retail teams, managing transformation projects, and ensuring a seamless customer experience. The role demands strong leadership and the ability to manage change effectively, fostering relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve operational excellence.
What you will do
Trading strategy and operations
Develop a robust trading calendar, trading MI, and trading guidelines to set a clear and uniform cadence for trading the food hall.
Ensure stores have clear trading guidelines and equip store teams to deliver excellent merchandising standards daily.
Lead and coach teams to deliver 'best in class' standards across all stores and transformation projects.
Manage multiple live projects with varying timelines, addressing issues and adjusting plans to meet objectives.
Retail and team development
Coach and develop retail teams to deliver right first-time implementation and resolve trading issues.
Engage and guide regional and store managers through transformation projects from concept to post-implementation review.
Champion retail in the Food BU, ensuring a customer-focused approach in all activities.
Visual merchandising
Deliver exceptional visual standards for store product launches on the sales floor and backstage.
Ensure stores meet best in class expectations through effective communication and coaching.
Required skills to be successful
Exceptional leadership and coaching abilities.
Advanced project management skills with the capability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong communication and influencing skills to engage with senior stakeholders.
Sharp commercial acumen with the ability to make informed strategic decisions.
What qualifies you for the role
Leadership and store management experience, particularly with leading food retailers.
Strong visual merchandising skill set with coaching abilities.
Proven communication skills with the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders.
Robust commercial acumen and decision-making skills to solve problems under pressure.
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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