Assistant Merchandiser | Retail | Marks & Spencer

Job Requisition ID: 164837 

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 A”rab 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 organisation 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 Assistant Merchandiser is responsible for supporting the Senior Merchandiser and Merchandiser of the BU. He/ She will produce reports, analyse these and recommend actions. He/she will assist with the planning and product selection of the BU catalogues and categories. He/she will also ensure that trackers and data files are updated and maintained, and for managing the allocation process.

What you will do

Catalogue Buying:

• Assist in the catalogue buying process and maintain Core Buying sheets.
• Input buying quantities into systems and prepare planograms using DRB.
• Use reports to analyze performance against targets and support IBO range creation.
• Stay aware of market trends and contribute to business strategy.

Allocation Process:

• Manage accurate BTF settings and guide allocators.
• Implement AI allocation solutions and liaise with stores on regional needs.

Business Reports & Analysis:

• Generate accurate reports and track promotions.
• Analyze weekly trade data, identify trends, and recommend actions.
• Maintain data integrity and provide insights for future buying.

Communication:

• Serve as the primary contact for store stock issues.
• Support weekly trade updates and digital transformation.
• Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and ensure product data accuracy.

Leadership:

• Coach team members, support their development, and uphold M&S values.

Required Skills to be successful

• Passion and product knowledge and love of M&S brand and heritage
• A Confident Team Player
• Able to handle Complexity
• Highly Numerate
• Product Confident
• Good Communicator
• Good working knowledge of Excel and key Microsoft Applications

What equips you for the role

• Minimum 3 Years’ Experience in Fashion Buying and Merchandising at AM or Allocator level
• Education to Degree level or equivalent
• Experience within a retail buying environment in MENA and/or Europe and experience of UK/European brands

We’re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.