Head Of Category - ACE Hardware - Dubai, UAE

Head Of Category - ACE Hardware - Dubai, UAE
Al Futtaim Private Company LLC, United Arab Emirates

Experience
2 Years
Salary
0 - 0 USD
Job Type
Job Shift
Job Category
Traveling
No
Career Level
Telecommute
No
Qualification
As Described in Job Ad
Total Vacancies
1 Job
Posted on
Apr 5, 2021
Last Date
May 5, 2021
Location(s)

Job Description

The Head of Category decides and sets all goals & targets relating to merchandise, i.e. range planning and assortment, range structure, number of articles, width and depth of the range, sales targets, pricing and gross margins, number of suppliers, negotiation & trading terms, assortment planning, planogram cycle, and implementation of the promotional/seasonal strategy of the business across all territories. In addition the Head of Category is responsible for managing end to end buying, selling & inventory management related processes. You will also be responsible for (i) ensuring that performance is monitored against plan regularly, supported by adequate merchandise performance reporting; (ii) ensuring that the product range is tested and is in line with local legislation, complies with import regulations, brand positioning and pricing strategy; (iii) ensuring direction is set for the buying team, with category ‘roles’ set, agreed and in place; (iv) a high degree of ‘newness’ is constantly being introduced while managing the amount of ‘churn’ to acceptable levels; (v) ensures that actions are taken on deviations to the plan to effectively manage merchandise assortments/inventory during the season to meet or exceed strategic targets.

Key Specific Accountabilities:

Range Selection

All merchandise ‘planning’ follows the “think/plan/buy/move and sell” principle ensuring the process is adhered to at all times.

Merchandise assortments follow the good/better/best principle.

Ensures that ‘Category Management’, encompassing the above, through to in-store Planograms & layouts are followed and that the buying team adheres to the process

Sets the product range priorities/category roles in accordance with the overall merchandise strategy and is agreed by the JH together with the General Manager.

Keeps updated about local market conditions and requirements in each territory, such as “taste levels”, developing trends, competitor growth & customer buying habits as well as product acceptability. All these factors are used to ultimately arrive at a decision regarding range selection and the width & depth of the different product areas within the range.

Manages a team of buying experts and together ensures the range is selected, priced & delivered, taking account the product lifecycle as well as our supply chain and warehousing capabilities.

Maintaining 96% in-store product availability on 4,500 ‘A’ lines (approx 65% of sales)

Product Forecast and Merchandise Management

Maintains ongoing communication with the ACE Regional Warehouses (Shanghai and Jebel Ali, as well as the ACE RSC in Long Beach, California), regarding all issues related to the ‘ACE sourced’ product range & product forecasts.

Ensures that sales forecasts are adapted to sales patterns in order to achieve an optimal goods flow.

Works closely with the 3PL partner & Head of Planning & Business Analytics. Reviews performance of merchandise, plans vs. actual, viability of a particular item, stock cover etc. Based on analysis raises awareness of any product that may not be performing and plans for promotions, price cuts etc. Also identifies ‘best sellers’ and ensures that stock cover for these is adequate & reflects sales projections.

Ensures that product newness is maintained, i.e. that new products are introduced in a timely manner and discontinued ranges are cleared in an effective manner through part sale and other ‘clearance’ or promotional activities thereby ensuring that the aged stock profile & ‘quality’ of stock is kept to a minimum.

Ensures the OTB is agreed, set and managed and whether is being operated by the buying or store teams is always in line with expectations.

Ensures the ‘Promotional Strategy’ is delivered, with the target sell through being achieved and buyer’s have a full understanding of how they’ll deliver the promotional buying brief.

Gross Margin Management

Sets the pricing strategy for the ACE range in each territory and guarantees re-enforcement of the ‘ACE Value’ perception building items, when setting prices of the ACE range.

Sets overall guidelines for margin exploitation by product area and ensures processes are established to analyse margin deviation. Is primarily responsible for the periodic Gross Profit Simulation exercise for each territory to make sure that pricing delivers the margin/ profit goals agreed.

Maintains a strategic communication link with ACE International regarding all matters relating to costs.

Evaluates the pricing of the total range prior to the ‘season’ start, ensuring prices are in line with set targets and market conditions.

Achie

Job Specification

About You

To be successfully considered for this role, you must demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Graduate (Preferably Commerce, Economics, Business Admin); Specialisation in Retail purchasing & supplier management.

6-8 years experience of Category management, preferably in DIY / Home improvement

Passionate about Home Improvement, retail and product.

Excellent leadership, teamwork and communication skills.

Strong organisation skills.

Proactive and agile approach to work tasks and responsibilities.

Ability to work at a fast pace and in an everchanging environment.

Strong communication skills.

Very good skills in planning, organisation & negotiation;

Good skills in supply chain management, merchandise management & all aspects of business management;

Good working knowledge of SAP;

High level of computer literacy and working knowledge of the logic and design of external data information platforms.

Behavioural Competencies: Should have a high level of market awareness, analytical ability, decision making, strategic thinking, teamwork

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.

Job Rewards and Benefits

Al Futtaim Private Company LLC

Consumer Goods - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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