Food Trading Manager | Retail | Marks & Spencer, UAE

Job Requisition ID: 180955

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 within M&S Foods principles.

• 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…