Commercial Activity Specialist | Retail | IKEA | QATAR

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.

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.

To inspire and surprise visitors by presenting and communicating the IKEA Home furnishing offer with strong visual impressions that exceed visitors' expectations. This will strengthen the IKEA Brand and convert more visitors into customers.

To ensure that external MEDIA & DIGITAL ADVERTISING and Store communication is aligned with Local Marketing program (in coordination with Com & in team and Marketing team - SO) and researched, formulated and delivered in an accurate, timely, high quality and effective manner to have the same tone of voice in the customer journey.

To lead, develop and inspire the Store CAT team, other store functions and the Communication and Interior Design co-workers in increasing vitality and seasonality, knowledge of life at home and local market.

Support IKEA FAMILY membership, program and activities include creating fun, surprising and relevant store solutions that contribute to positioning the IKEA Brand and the IKEA store as an up-to-date and innovative destination that always offers something new.

1. Lead and inspire the Visual Merchandising and Interior Design/Activity co-workers and develop their visual merchandising and range presentation competence in order to strengthen the uniqueness of the IKEA identity in the stores.
2. Support the Visual Merchandising/Activity co-workers in creating inspiring range presentation solutions that reflect life at home activities with seasonal relevance connected to the commercial activities.
3. Responsible for the implementation of the vitality Calendar in the store.
4. Contribute in delivering the department action plan and ensures that specific store design initiatives are focused in order to grow our business and supporting Vitality/Activity commercial calendar.
5. Responsible to be part of the Commercial CAT team in the store and take all the necessary steps to get an activity implemented.
6. Actively contribute in the regional Visual Merchandising Leaders network and share regional directions and global tools with the Visual Merchandising/Activity co-workers in the store.
7. Ensure IKEA uniqueness and IKEA Brand identity in range presentation and store communication.
8. Using knowledge of the IKEA Concept, strategic messages and the IKEA Swedish identity to plan, create and implement store solutions that support the commercial priorities.
9. Optimize sales by supporting local marketing initiatives and drive traffic to the store.
10. Partner with other functions to organise Vitality/Activity meetings and activate local activities including new launches, seasonal celebrations and/or events.
11. Gather information and run survey results for initiatives.
12. Obtain relevant product and service information from the various departments and communicate it to the co-workers.
13. Develop, identify, utilize and update communication channels for delivering key messages.
14. Assist store management in a crisis situation by creating key communication messages and FAQs.
15. Identify co-worker target groups and ensure that their information needs are met.

1. Support all IKEA FAMILY initiatives.
2. Work closely with other departments to ensure IKEA FAMILY concept and benefits are available and visible throughout the store.
3. Implement local commercial activities, IKEA FAMILY seminars and workshops.
4. Ensure that store co-workers understand the impact the IKEA FAMILY membership has on our long-term growth and profitability.
5. Contribute to deliver the IKEA FAMILY action plan based on local potentials.

1. Coordinate with the Com&In and Marketing team in Service Office for supporting national marketing initiatives.
2. Support and execute projects that support the Marketing business plan.

1. Strategic Planning and Analytical Skills.
2. Problem Solving Skills.
3. Excellent Communication Skills.
4. Good Business acumen.
5. Experience of setting and implementing action plans, budgets and following up on goals.
6. Ability to prioritize and organize own work.
7. Ability to foster collaborative relationships with different target groups.
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
9. Ability to work autonomously and multi-task accordingly.
10. Self-reliant and motivated with proven ability to work as part of a larger team.

1. Must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in related field, preferably in retail marketing.
2. University Degree/ Masters preferred.
3. Significant experience of working as a Visual Merchandiser/ Activity leader in an IKEA Store or Service office.
4. Must possess analytical and strategic skills for potential succession planning.
5. Must be a multi-tasked and have a strong team spirit.
6. Must be computer literate (All Microsoft Programs).
7. Arabic not required but is an added advantage.

Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in Retail across the Middle East, Africa & Asia over the past 30 years. We have developed partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected Brands in the world including IKEA, ACE and Toys R Us in the Middle East and the Inditex Group of Brands across Asia.

Join us today and make a difference…