Head of Food - MENA | Marks & Spencer | Retail

Overview of the role: The job holder delivers a strategic model to ensure profitable stand-alone model and acts as the technical and operational expert for food and hospitality business across 7 markets (UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, KSA).

What you will do:

Business Planning

Reporting directly to the GM – M&S, this position has full P&L responsibility to plan and manage new business development opportunities in order to support M&S 5-year business growth plan working in collaboration with the business leaders in MENA.

• Transforms M&S food business in line with new Retail Food Strategy.
• Defines & develops local sourcing supplier network to create a profitable model that drives scale and efficiency.
• Work with suppliers to ensure M&S technical standards are adhered to.
• Liaises and establishes influence on M&S UK to deliver AFG M&S Food business plan.
• Liaises with the Global BPOs for Planning, Marketing and Operations in order to understand and monitor customer consumption habits, profiles, demands and leads Buying teams to plan and manage the range and catalogue.
• Drives product improvement to drive performance especially in hospitality business.
• Defines and communicates the food strategic plan growth plan and sales plan for the 7 markets under the responsibility.
• Prepares food business launches into new markets.
• Prepares and executes the sustainable stand-alone food model for MENA by considering market relevance and product restrictions.
• Manage in conjunction with Store Development & Property teams all milestone plans connected with Food Stores modernization programs, and new Food store openings to ensure all costs are well managed within plan.
• Directs and leads the Food Buying Team to ensure the buying strategy can maximize sales through the procurement of an appropriate customer focused, well priced range, and catalogue.
• Utilises artificial intelligence and data analytics to drive future performance and reduce costs.

Commercial

• Deliver the vision and strategy of M&S Food from an International Retail perspective.
• Prepares and leads the commercial food agenda making sure that it is followed in all markets by all Buying and Sales teams.
• Establishes routines with the Food and Operations teams to ensure collaboration and standardization across all markets.
• Liaises with Retail Digital MD in order to derive digital innovation and growth for food business.
• Exploit all opportunities to drive food sales in a customer focused, cost effective and efficient way.
• Drive consistent and measurable standards of customer service across all MENA M&S Food stores & Food halls.
• Establish solid visual merchandising capable of delivering inspirational, easy to shop Food halls & Food stores reflecting the corporate brand.
• Promote the M&S brand values and ensure company policies and procedures are followed; including behavior set out in the M&S code of ethics and ensures the business complies with all relevant legislation, regulation and good corporate governance practices.
• Accountable for Food P&L across MENA.
• Establishes a structure by monitoring costs and ensuring profitability.
• Establishes new practices for cost controlling by preparing and presenting cost benefit analyses to increase profitability.
• Develops a value-added corporate model in order to engage and influence the principal to chase the sustainable model.

Corporate and Brand

• Ensure M&S Brand integrity at all markets, levels and touch points.
• Promote Brand and Corporate Values, throughout the organization and depending functions within Al-Futtaim.
• Interact and liaise with Principal Executives from M&S UK to establish and maintain a good working relationship and partnership.

Business Growth / New Markets & Channels

• Explore and research opportunities for the food business growth, including new formats, (which may include new food formats) new territories, and new channels (including the development and execution of digital channels).
• Project and roadmap and development plan and confirm site selection and the sign off for new stores against this plan.
• Ensure successful format and market entry in line with legislation and requirements of the brand.

Desired Candidate Profile

What you will need:

• +16 years of experience of which 5 years should be at senior management level. A results-driven personality who values teamwork as an integral part of getting great results.
• Proven experience in food trading, with a strong understanding of market dynamics and regulatory requirements.
• Hands-on experience in food innovation and development, including product ideation, formulation, and launch.
• Expertise in food sourcing and supply chain management, ensuring quality, cost efficiency, and timely delivery.
• Experience in working with brand principals, ensuring compliance with their product specifications, quality standards, and brand guidelines.
• Experience in a multi-channel and multi-geography retail environment.
• Experience in managing and driving cross functional teams with a workforce in excess of 1300 people.
• Delivery of financial budgets and key performance indicators for all markets.
• Understanding of customer research and the ability to amend the range/service to reflect customer requirements and feedback.
• Deep expertise and passion for the food retail business.
• Understanding and applying of global and regional macroeconomic indicators.