Al Futtaim Jobs - Head of Retail Operations | ACE Hardware | Dubai (Dubai, AE)

Job Requisition ID: 38063 

No two days are the same at Al-Futtaim, no matter what role you have. Our work is driven by the desire to make a difference and to have a meaningful impact with the goal of enriching everyday lives. Take our engaging and supportive work environment and couple it with a company culture that recognises and rewards quality performance, and what do you get? The chance to push the limits every single day.

 

As a humble family business that started on the banks of the Dubai Creek in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim has expanded to a presence in 31 countries, a portfolio of over 200 companies, and 42,000 employees. You’ll find us in industries ranging from automotive and retail, to finance and real estate, and connecting people with international names like Lexus, Ikea, Robinsons, and Adidas. Our team is proudly multicultural and multinational because that kind of diverse representation gives us the global mindset to grow and impact the people, markets, and trends around us.

 

Come join us to live well, work better, and be the best.

About the Role

The main purpose of the Regional Head of Retail Operations and Planning is to:

• Manage the execution of all projects within the remit of ‘Store Operations’ (sales; store layout and design; customer service; overall operations; store finance; store hr; store logistics; coffee shop; all concessions, health & safety, maintenance contracts, maintenance and asset procurement and security).
• Formulate strategies, objectives and targets to maximise the RoI and ensure that consistent (best practice) business practices are in place
• Manage Operations for Ace and Home Zone and ensure that all methods of store operations are standard
• Launch and manage all Ace and Home Zone projects
• Be responsible for the location, construction and fit-out of all new stores and together with the GM evaluate sites for the establishment of all new stores
• Keep abreast of all new technologies to keep the ‘brands’ up to date on developments across retail
• Manage the team to ensure that all work/policies and procedures in all Ace and Home Zone stores is carried out effectively to ensure the smooth running of the store
• Implementation of promotional/seasonal strategy across all stores

 

Key Specific Accountabilities

Store Operations

• Development of short, medium and long term strategies, objectives and targets which will provide the business with a standard and uniform operating platform across the region.
• Establish and maintain operational standards, processes and systems in accordance with approved Group policies. Ensure that proper management of all store functions by the respective Store Manager’s are maintained & implemented, which will contribute to the efficient and coordinated operation of the business as a whole. (Includes compliance with all SOP’s). Keep abreast of the latest retail developments so as to meet all current and future objectives of the brands.
• Has a REAL customer focus: establishes & communicates customer goals and targets while ensuring the highest quality service and results for customers, articulates a strong understanding of customers’ needs and does significantly more than required. Acts as a role model for all employees by focusing business strategy on providing exceptional service & continually seeks and implements new ways to improve customer satisfaction. Ensures that all elements of ‘Customer Service’ are at the forefront of management teams in all stores and constantly strives to improve.
• Develop KPI’s for every function in the store. KPI’s are set at Company/brand level as well as at store level.
• Prepare and agree with Store Manager’s the annual sales, headcount and expense budgets and ensure the performance of each store is within approved budgets.
• Be responsible for ‘People Development’ and succession planning of senior store management, with a special emphasis on the development of Store Manager’s.
• Ensure that all implementation at store level is completed to agreed high standards, whatever the subject matter and that escalation channels are in place and are understood by all store teams. Develops and executes all aspects of ‘retail basics’, including: on-shelf availability; clear shelf edge pricing; overall store standards; exceptional customer service together with outstanding “queue management”.
• Ensure stock takes are carried out as per the defined process in all stores and in conjunction with the Regional Admin & Compliance Manager develop stock loss action plans
• Maintaining 95% in-store product availability on 3,000+ ‘A’ lines  (approx. 65% of sales)
• Ensure the OTB for local product store ordering is managed by store teams and in line with expectations & that timely order processing is done in order to reduce the out of stocks for A lines and increase customer satisfaction
• Review and involve stores on internal store audit reports and implement necessary corrective action

Planning & Project Management

• Evaluate potential sites according the brand’s expansion plans.
• Act as the Project Leader for the construction of new stores by co-ordinating all planning and fit-outs of all new stores.
• Liaise with the brand management team and to be the link between the Retail Division Development Team and the business.
• Follow up and manage project costs on an ongoing basis, ensuring that proposed solutions are of the correct standard and the most efficient in all areas of the store.
• Compile and follow up the establishment of the project time line/critical path, updating all members of the team in a timely manner.
• Co-ordinate the timing of construction and all fit-out activities with the Retail Division Development Manager/Project Manager as well as the brand Buying and Logistics Manaeger’s.
• Ensure store equipment orders are placed in time with the most cost effective and efficient suppliers.
• Ensure that all ‘space planning’ activities are completed prior to sign off of store layouts.
• Ensure that Visual Manager is fully briefed of brand requirements and that budgets are set and agreed prior to mobilising.
• Ensure that members of the Store Management team are educated and trained regarding their tasks and roles in the store ‘set up’ period, pre and post handover from the builder/contractor.

System development & Co-ordination with different functions

• Plays a vital role in developing and maintaining system processes relating to the retail operations & ‘front’ and ‘back end’ elements of SAP.
• Together with the ACE Marketing Manager & the Regional Head of Buying and Range Planning defines the commercial activities/ plans for the ACE business and ensures 100% availability in-store of all selected product as per the marketing schedule.
• Plays a key role in the SAP and BI ‘reporting’ development in collaboration with Retail IT/STS.
• Works closely with the Regional Head of Buying and Range Planning to secure the optimal range presentation in all stores.
• Facilitates the close interaction of the Buying team with the store teams to ensure that commercial priorities and feedback is ongoing.
• Plays a vital role in co-ordinating, with the Logistics Manager all activities associated with store and customer deliveries.
• Work closely with the Inventory team to ensure that auto replenishment is working and review regularly
• Returns management process
• Store transfers through RDT’s
• Optimise all benefits of SAP ECC6

 

About You

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge: Graduate (Preferably Commerce, Economics, Business Admin);

Minimum Experience: 10-15 years experience in Retail, of which at least 5 years in Senior Management & at least 3 years in store management.

Job-Specific Skills: Very good skills in planning, organisation & people management; Good working knowledge of SAP; High level of computer literacy.

Behavioural Competencies: Customer Focused: Decision Making; Networking and Building Relationships. Individual Accountability: Resource Utilisation and Achieving Objectives; Proactiveness and Problem Solving; Strategic Thinking and Innovation; Financial and Commercial Accumen. Continuous Improvement: Vision, Direction and Purpose; Leading Change; Adaptability; Learning and Development Oriented. Personal Leadership: Leadership; Inspires Commitment; Influencing; Diplomatic. Teamwork: Collaboration; Interpersonal Relationships; Managing Talent.

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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.

 

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