Planning Manager | Retail | UAE

Job Requisition ID: 181249

About Al-Futtaim
Established in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim is one of the most diversified and progressive privately held regional businesses, headquartered in Dubai. Operating across more than 20 countries, the Group spans automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and health. With more than 40,000 employees, Al-Futtaim represents over 200 of the world’s most recognised brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE and Marks & Spencer. Driven by its purpose to enrich lives and elevate communities, Al-Futtaim focuses on digital innovation, AI, sustainable growth and strategic partnerships, creating long-term value for customers, communities and partners while building a responsible legacy for future generations.

Overview Of The Role:
The Planning Manager is responsible for directing the strategic merchandise financial plans, driving sales and margin performance through effective forecasting and inventory strategies. The role requires close collaboration with Buying and Operations teams to align plans with the company's financial objectives. The incumbent will guide Planners in seasonal plans, manage inventory and receipts, and ensure the cross-channel sharing of inventory to maximize sales and profit. The manager will also lead the assessment and improvement of current business trends and systems.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Planning

• Direct the development, execution, and communication of strategic merchandise financial plans.

• Partner with Buying & Operations teams to drive and maximize sales and margin through forecasting, assortment, and inventory strategies.

Merchandise Planning

• Manage six-month Seasonal Merchandise Plans in partnership with Buying and Sales Operations, ensuring alignment with company financial goals.

• Guide Planners in development, presentation, and defense of seasonal merchandise plans.

• Review and approve buy and reorder quantities to ensure the ideal assortment for sales and margin maximization.

Inventory Management

• Oversee receipts and inventory against targeted weeks-of-supply objectives.

• Collaborate with Merchandising to optimize receipt flow and maximize gross margin.

• Manage markdown and promotional strategies to effectively mitigate aged inventory.

Business Review and Reporting

• Manage the Monthly Business Review (MBR) process, guiding Planners for forecasting and reporting.

• Present top-line results and forecasts at MBR meetings.

• Create Conceptual Assortment Plans for design needs and customer choice counts.

Cross-Channel Collaboration

• Direct Planners to ensure optimal inventories across channels to serve customer needs.

• Prepare department overviews and monthly hindsight recaps for meetings.

• Apply lessons learned in trend responsiveness and framework adaptation.

Team Leadership and Development

• Guide Planners in developing Weekly Unit Plans and Key Item programs.

• Travel to stores for merchandise performance observation and team relationship building.

• Oversee sales performance and take corrective actions as needed.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Strong analytical and financial skills for translating data into actionable insights.

• Team leadership and people management capabilities.

• Commercial acumen to understand drivers of sales, margin, and inventory.

• Proficiency in merchandise planning systems and Excel-based analysis.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in a retail planning role.

• Demonstrated team leadership experience (2-4 years preferred).

• Proficiency with merchandise planning systems, forecasting, and Excel analysis.
About Al-Futtaim Retail

At Al-Futtaim Retail, we are part of a 90-year legacy built on ambition, progress and long-term vision. As one of the region’s leading retail operators, we partner with some of the world’s most trusted brands – including IKEA, ACE, Marks & Spencer and the Inditex Group – bringing global excellence to customers across MENA and Southeast Asia.

We don’t just operate stores; we shape retail experiences. From launching brands like Watsons and Kiabi to our regions for the first time, to investing in digital innovation, AI capabilities, the customer experience and loyalty platforms, we are constantly redefining the future of retail.

With over 100 nationalities spread across more than 10 countries, our strength lies in our diverse and collaborative community. Here, you’re equipped to turn your ambition into action, building the career you want, while helping us move retail forwards.

Join us and be part of The Heart of Tomorrow.