Recruitment Specialist | Building Tech & Business Teams | Global Sourcing Expert
Company Overview:
GMG is a global well-being company that retails, distributes, and manufactures a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across the sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties, and logistics sectors. Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years, GMG has established itself as a valued partner of choice for some of the world’s most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector.
Operating across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include well-known names such as Sun & Sand Sports, Dropkick, Supercare Pharmacy, Farm Fresh, Klassic, Nike, Columbia, Converse, Timberland, Vans, Mama Sita’s, and McCain.
Role
Summary:
The role holder is responsible for managing inventory and retail budgets, including Markdown Planning, Open-to-Buy (OTB), sales densities, inventory health, sell-through, and Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment (GMROII). The role holder will also lead brand/category planning and effective in-season management and inventory levels to optimize availability, profitability, and overall business performance.
Responsibilities:- Develop comprehensive financial merchandise plans for all brands/categories based on analytics, customer preferences, historical performance, and future projections shared by the buying team.
- Define and manage high-level financial goals, including pre-season financial planning, in-season forecasting, open-to-buy (OTB) management, and new store budget planning.
- Plan and execute markdown strategies, including Mid-Season Offers (MSO) and End-of-Season Sales (EOSS), based on article-level sell-through, inventory age, weeks of cover, and profitability, to optimize stock liquidation while protecting margins.
- Prepare, analyze, and monitor brand/category MIS reports, tracking actual sales versus forecasts, inventory levels, company order parameters, upcoming events, and replenishment requirements.
- Drive and oversee strategic planning and decision-making across key metrics such as:
Financial performance, Sales, stock levels, OTB, margins, and forward cover. - Communicate approved plans clearly to the buying team and ensure effective in-season execution across stores/regions, including stock balancing, markdown control, and stock-to-sales performance analysis.
- Conduct periodic reviews of merchandise plans to ensure profitability is maximized and target performance levels are consistently achieved.
- Ensure zero stock-out situations by doing periodic Gap Analysis.
- Identify slow-moving and obsolete inventory, secure management approvals for markdowns and discounts, and ensure timely liquidation in line with brand/category guidelines.
- Prepare detailed variance analysis reports comparing budgeted vs actual sales and stock and identify growth opportunities to arrest or reverse declining business trends.
- Monitor, set, and track GMROII and sales density targets by brand/category to enhance overall profitability.
- Ensure timely and accurate execution of sales and promotional activities as per the approved Trade Calendar.
- A minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience with at least 3-5 years in Retail Planning.
- Expertise in merchandise planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Strong analytical and statistical acumen; ability to translate data into actionable strategies.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Excel – advanced level), Business Intelligence tools, and ERP/Planning software (SAP, Oracle, JDA, or equivalent).
- Knowledge of Python will be preferred.
- Commercial acumen with strong understanding of retail operations, category management, and UAE/GCC retail market dynamics.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- An opportunity to become part of diverse teams with international exposure.
- Comprehensive family medical insurance.
- Family residency sponsorship and flight allowances.
- Up to 30% discount in our premium retail sports brand stores.
- Up to 20% discount in our pharmacy chain.
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