Beauty Buyer / Assistant Brand / Category Manager- Beauty| Retail | Watsons | UAE

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 Arab 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:

Responsible for supporting the Category Manager with the development of the Skincare Category to maximize sales and gross margin objectives, while managing inventory objectives for specific brands. Develops strategic objectives to ensure long-term sustained growth across all markets.

What you will do:

1. Description of Accountability:

• Develop, implement and deliver category plans in alignment with the category manager including range reviews, promotions, pricing and stock that are consistent with overall commercial strategy and financial objectives.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and implement marketing promotion plans and strategies that are relevant to category; adhere to legislation and brand guidelines; and clearly and effectively communicate with the customer, driving footfall and profitable sales.
• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of promotions, taking appropriate action where necessary, and sharing best practice with peers and other stakeholders.
• Work with Exclusive Brands to develop and deliver exclusive products/ranges that deliver increased participation and meet agreed strategy and plans.
• Working in partnership with the planning team, agree merchandising strategy that drives and delivers right range in the right store; ensuring availability in store; and control of slow moving stock.
• Identify and implement new product opportunities that are competitively priced, commercially viable and meet customer needs, driving sales and profitability.
• Manage and review pricing, ensuring pricing that is competitive and maximizes profitability. Operate within Company pricing strategy.
• Working in conjunction with the Planning team to ensure base sales and promotional forecasts are adhered to, whilst maintaining in-store availability to meet the customer’s needs.
• Develop effective internal working relationships with cross-functional team members to support and enhance category objectives and performance.
• Develop, build and maintain effective external relationships to enhance the Watsons proposition and meet customer needs.
• Adopt appropriate negotiation strategies to attain the best terms for the category and the business.

Category expert – utilize and continually develop knowledge in category products, competitors and market activity to deliver increased category performance objectives.

Required Skills to be successful:

• Strong analytical skills
• Very strong commercial awareness and creative skills.
• Decisive and able to work in a super fast-paced environment
• Strong communication, analytical and organizational skills.
• Display delegation skills, prioritize within delegated tasks and manage deadlines.
• Practice excellent time management skills and ability to cope under pressure.

What equips you for the role:

• Bachelor Degree with similar Category Experience.
• Min 3-4 years relevant buying, category or brand experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a Skincare/cosmetics industry buying role.

We’re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.