Planning Manager - Retail

Royal Avenue is an established joint venture between Daud Investments and the Oman Investment Authority, with the goal of bringing well known international brands to the GCC region and providing exceptional shopping and dining experiences. Our portfolio includes Middle East Retail Group and Gourmet Gulf, both being leading companies in their respective industries. Middle East Retail Groups focus is to develop partnerships with retail brands where there are significant growth opportunities, brands such as Hamleys, Nous Paris, Hadoro and Pylones.

About the job:

The Role is responsible for driving the strategy for merchandise planning, budget planning, forecasting and effective in-season inventory management for all stores. Also, ensure planning, buying and store teams are working in tandem to respond to customer trends to achieve sales, margin, and stock turn targets.

Main responsibilities:

• Partner with the Head of Ops and Buying to develop the merchandise strategy, budget and forecast, providing data-driven input from historical data, customer analytics, market conditions and supplier demands.
• Provide input to the Finance team to support accurate business forecasting and areas that can be leveraged to achieve cost control and profitability.
• Develop the framework and foundation for the entire Retail Planning function, including Online Marketplace commerce in coordination with relevant stakeholders and ensure successful implementation.
• Review and execution of the budget and open to buy plans, ensuring that they meet financial sales and margin expectations.
• Drive inventory optimization, through improved receipt planning, management, and improved merchandise turnover
• Evaluate actual results against plan. Identify opportunities to increase sales and reduce markdown liability and recommend appropriate action.
• Develop dashboard of retail reporting to effectively manage the business.
• Lead, coach and develop the Planning team to achieve financial objectives and optimal inventory management as well as prepare the team for broader responsibilities.
• Improve store productivity through quarterly space planning exercise.

Requirements:

• Proven ability to build and maintain productive cross-functional relationships to drive business and create/lead teams
• Demonstration of leadership and talent development skills
• Ability to review and develop financial modeling on new business opportunities.
• Ability to evaluate new business opportunities and identify potential risks
• Ability to make timely decisions in fast-paced environment and react with urgency
• Expert knowledge of merchandise planning, allocation, replenishment and financial planning systems, tools and reporting