Job Overview
Al-Futtaim Retail is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Buyer to support merchandise planning and profitable business growth across its Boys, BRU, and R Zone categories in the GCC region. This opportunity is suitable for retail professionals with strong buying, merchandising, negotiation, and analytical skills.
The successful candidate will develop merchandise strategies, manage vendor relationships, negotiate competitive product prices, and coordinate with buying, marketing, operations, and visual merchandising teams. The role also involves budget planning, sales forecasting, inventory management, and product assortment development to meet customer demand and business objectives.
Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management or Buying, SAP knowledge, and at least four years of merchandising experience may be well suited to this Buyer vacancy in Dubai.
Key Responsibilities of a Buyer
1. Merchandise Planning and Buying Strategy
- Develop merchandise buying strategies for the Boys, BRU, and R Zone categories in alignment with company objectives.
- Work with the Buying Manager to establish annual buying budgets for assigned product categories.
- Prepare sales forecasts, open-to-buy plans, and inventory turnover strategies.
- Research market trends, customer preferences, and new product developments to guide purchasing decisions.
- Identify suitable merchandise assortments that balance customer demand, product availability, and profitability.
- Review pricing structures and promotional activities to support financial targets.
- Ensure buying decisions contribute to sustainable sales growth and effective inventory management.
2. Vendor Management and Price Negotiation
- Manage relationships with more than 100 international and local vendors across relevant product categories.
- Negotiate competitive purchasing prices and commercial terms with suppliers.
- Evaluate vendor performance, product quality, pricing, and delivery capabilities.
- Coordinate with suppliers to maintain product availability and support timely merchandise delivery.
- Build effective working relationships with external vendors and internal stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and merchandise profitability.
3. Team Leadership and Development
- Manage, coach, and develop the buying team to improve productivity and accuracy.
- Guide buyers in creating customer-focused product assortments that support financial objectives.
- Communicate buying strategies, sales targets, and merchandise priorities to team members.
- Encourage collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the buying function.
- Support effective decision-making and ensure buying activities align with business requirements.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with product development, marketing, operations, and visual merchandising teams.
- Coordinate with the Operations Manager and Visual Merchandising Manager on store assortment plans.
- Support product development and promotional planning to improve commercial performance.
- Align merchandise selection and financial planning with visual merchandising requirements.
- Coordinate with internal departments and external partners to support marketing campaigns and product availability.
- Ensure merchandise strategies reflect customer preferences, market opportunities, and overall business priorities.
Required Skills for Buyer Jobs in Dubai
Candidates applying for this retail Buyer position should demonstrate the following skills:
- Strong strategic planning and analytical abilities.
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
- Good commercial awareness and understanding of retail buying practices.
- Strong communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage vendor relationships and negotiate competitive prices.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to adapt to changing market conditions and business priorities.
- Understanding of sales forecasting, inventory planning, and merchandise assortment strategies.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency in SAP, which is an essential requirement for the role.
Qualifications and Experience
To qualify for this Buyer job in Dubai, applicants should meet the following requirements:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BBA), Business Management, Buying, or a related field.
- Experience: At least four years of merchandising experience.
- Technical Skills: SAP knowledge is essential.
- Market Knowledge: Familiarity with the local retail market is preferred.
- Buying Expertise: Experience in merchandise planning, sales forecasting, budgeting, and inventory management.
- Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate with local and international suppliers.
- Leadership: Experience managing, coaching, or developing team members is beneficial for the responsibilities of the role.
About Al-Futtaim Retail
Al-Futtaim Retail is part of the Al-Futtaim Group, a diversified business group with a long-standing presence in the Middle East and international markets. Its retail portfolio includes well-known brands such as IKEA, ACE, Marks & Spencer, and brands within the Inditex Group.
Job Details
- Job Title: Buyer
- Company: Al-Futtaim Retail
- Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Job Category: Retail Buying / Merchandising
- Experience Required: Minimum 4 years in merchandising
- Education: BBA in Business Management, Buying, or a related field
- Essential Skill: SAP knowledge
- Key Responsibilities: Merchandise planning, supplier negotiations, budget management, inventory control, and team leadership