Brand Manager | Retail | Kiabi

Job Requisition ID: 166861 

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 Brand Manager is responsible for driving top-line performance, ensuring full profit and loss accountability, and maintaining consistent operational excellence and brand compliance across all stores. This role requires the strategic development and execution of business plans to drive profitability while ensuring adherence to company policies and compliance with Group Internal Audit guidelines to mitigate business risks.

A key responsibility is to foster a high-performing team by providing training and development opportunities to achieve business objectives and sales targets. The Brand Manager will also oversee the customer experience in all stores, ensuring alignment with brand values and customer expectations.

This position involves close collaboration with senior management, including principal stakeholders, the retail division, corporate leadership, and government officials. The role demands a high level of diplomacy to maintain strong and successful relationships with key stakeholders. Additionally, the Brand Manager will be responsible for implementing operational controls across all markets to maximize opportunities and minimize risks while ensuring emergency preparedness in all stores.

Financial acumen is critical, as the Brand Manager must provide clear financial direction through the analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational reports, identifying risks and opportunities for continuous improvement. The role also involves enforcing strict adherence to company operating procedures to protect business profitability.

What you will do

Driving Sales Performance and Profitability

• Establish overall guidelines for margin optimization across product categories, ensuring analysis of margin deviations.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive commercial strategy (short, medium, and long-term).
• Define store layouts and product assortments based on brand guidelines.
• Maintain operational excellence by setting and delivering standards in visual merchandising, stock availability, customer service, and security while ensuring brand integrity.
• Train and develop store teams to achieve business plans and sales targets.

Financial & Business Planning

• Develop and execute the brand’s operational strategy.
• Construct, implement, and monitor budgets and operational costs for all stores.
• Enforce company operating procedures to maintain accurate inventory, system integrity, and profit protection.
• Drive cost-saving initiatives and operational efficiencies by challenging existing processes.
• Regularly review and update standard operating procedures in line with business needs and Group Internal Audit requirements.
• Oversee internal audit reports, implement necessary corrective actions, and support store managers in compliance efforts.

People Management

• Recruit and retain top-tier sales associates to drive performance.
• Collaborate with GM-HR to enhance employee engagement and ensure compliance with HR policies and local labor regulations.
• Coach and mentor store managers, ensuring effective succession planning and talent development.
• Identify and nurture high-potential employees.
• Lead by example, embodying the values of both Al-Futtaim and Kiabi.

Brand & Corporate Compliance

• Promote corporate and brand values across all store operations.
• Ensure standardized processes and consistency in store operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, corporate governance policies, and legal requirements.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with brand principals and corporate leadership.
• Work collaboratively with the brand principal to resolve operational issues and align with commercial priorities.

Business Growth & Expansion

• Lead market entry and store expansion projects, ensuring adherence to brand and legal requirements.
• Develop and execute strategic operational plans for new territories.
• Set ambitious yet realistic targets, aligning with the organization’s broader objectives.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to build high-performing teams.
• Identify critical roles and implement succession planning to ensure long-term business continuity.

Required Skills to be successful

• Strong strategic planning and analytical capabilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Strong commercial acumen with a keen understanding of retail operations.
• Ability to stay updated with fashion trends and industry developments.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and business improvement.

What equips you for the role

Minimum Qualification and Knowledge

Education: College or University level graduate.

Minimum Experience

• Strong Retail fashion experience
• Demonstrated success in retail brand management, with a track record of driving sales and profitability.

 Behavioral Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Ability to drive change and implement business improvements.
• Highly motivated with a customer-centric approach.
• Strong business and financial acumen to drive brand profitability.
• Adaptability to dynamic retail environments and emerging market trends.

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.