Buyer Job in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Buyer is responsible for achieving merchandise-related goals and targets. This includes range planning, assortment, range structure, number of articles, sales targets, pricing, gross margins, supplier management, negotiation and trading terms, assortment planning, planogram cycles, and implementing promotional and seasonal strategies across all territories. The Buyer collaborates closely with the Category Head and other Product Managers to build the assortment and achieve business goals.

The role requires cross-functional collaboration to forecast business needs and make informed decisions based on customer and market trends and sales data. The Buyer ensures the introduction of new products while managing inventory and stock controls effectively.

Key Responsibilities:

Range Selection:
Adhere to the “think/plan/buy/move/sell” principle for all merchandise planning.
Follow the good/better/best principle for merchandise assortments.
Implement category management through to in-store planograms and layouts.
Set product category range priorities in alignment with the overall merchandise strategy, as agreed with the Head of Category and GM.
Stay updated on local market conditions, trends, competitor growth, customer buying habits, and product acceptability in each territory.
Make informed decisions on range selection, pricing, and delivery, considering the product lifecycle, supply chain, and warehousing capabilities.
Maintain 96% in-store product availability on 4,500 ‘A’ lines (approximately 65% of sales).

Product Forecast and Merchandise Management:

Maintain ongoing communication with ACE Regional Warehouses (Shanghai, Jebel Ali, and ACE RSC in Long Beach, California) regarding the ACE sourced product range and forecasts.
Adapt sales forecasts to actual sales patterns to ensure optimal goods flow.
Collaborate with the 3PL partner, Planning, and Business Analytics teams to review merchandise performance, comparing plans with actuals, assessing item viability, and monitoring stock cover. Highlight underperforming products and plan for promotions or price cuts as needed. Identify best sellers and ensure adequate stock cover reflecting sales projections.
Introduce new products timely and effectively clear discontinued ranges through sales and promotional activities, maintaining a minimum aged stock profile and high stock quality.
Manage and set the Open-to-Buy (OTB) in line with expectations, whether operated by the buying or store teams.
Deliver the promotional strategy with target sell-through achieved and understand the promotional buying brief.
Gross Margin Management:

Set pricing strategy for the ACE category range in each territory, reinforcing the ACE Value perception.
Establish overall guidelines for margin exploitation by product area and analyze margin deviations. Conduct periodic Gross Profit Simulation exercises for each territory to ensure pricing meets margin/profit goals.
Maintain strategic communication with ACE International regarding costs.
Evaluate the total range pricing before each season, ensuring alignment with targets and market conditions.
Achieve cost benefits throughout the supply chain by making strategic buying decisions.
Ensure overall margin goals are met, considering clearance sales and promotional activities, managing the blended margin.
Supply Chain Management:

Work closely with the Demand Planning & Business Analytics team to define, establish, and develop the supply chain operations, realizing benefits from direct supplier sourcing.
Deliver objectives/metrics including quality, quantity, cycle time, and cost through strategic and tactical initiatives.
Plan the flow of merchandise for ACE to maintain stock as per business requirements, in line with overall volume goals.
Optimize the ordering process, re-order frequency, and warehousing usage to minimize handling costs and lead times.
Utilize SAP ECC6 benefits and ensure the system operates unhindered.
Manage all merchandise ordering through SAP, based on agreed rules.
Ensure category stock availability at the country level.
Supplier/Vendor Management:

Set budget goals for suppliers at the country level.
Agree and set supplier numbers with the Head of Category.
Incorporate supplier measures into management, negotiate trading terms, and establish agreements with approved suppliers.
Ensure negotiation of faulty goods/swell allowances and all forms of margin support.
Conduct supplier capability assessments.
Business Development:

Contribute to merchandise assortment plans by country and analyze product range feasibility, ensuring compliance with local legislation.
Conduct competitor and market analysis, compliance studies with import regulations, and brand positioning.
Decide pricing strategy and gross margin goals, oversee merchandise ordering, and specify SAP changes for new country requirements.
System Development & Coordination with Different Functions:

Develop and maintain system processes related to buying and supply chain elements of SAP.
Define commercial activities/plans for the ACE business with the Category Head and ACE Marketing Manager, ensuring 100% product availability as per the marketing schedule.
Collaborate on SAP and BI reporting development with Retail IT/STS.
Drive the development of yearly “Outdoor” and “DIY” catalogs for local markets, ensuring availability for catalog launch.
Work with the Operations Manager to secure optimal range presentation in all stores.
Facilitate close interaction between the Buying team and store teams to ensure ongoing commercial priorities and feedback.
Required Skills for Success:

Strong skills in planning, organization, and negotiation.
Proficiency in supply chain and merchandise management.
Good working knowledge of SAP and high computer literacy.
Understanding of external data information platforms.
Behavioral competencies: high market awareness, analytical ability, decision-making, strategic thinking, teamwork, and leadership