Business Analyst - Retail

Job description / Role

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 organization 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

Prepare monthly / Quarterly / Annual / Adhoc reports including but not limited to the financial statements for each brand and consolidated reports, by collecting data, analyzing and investigating variances; summarizing data, information, and trends. To work within the finance team supporting accurate and timely processing of financial transactions and processes, and internal/external reporting requirements.

What you will do
- Prepare and submit financial reports in a timely and accurate manner
- Review financial statements' movement for the monthly/yearly closing purpose and support finance teams with the required adjustments (if needed).
- Coordinate with Retail Finance / Group Finance / Brands managers for all ad-hoc reports and analysis
- Review monthly financial statements' movement for the monthly/yearly closing purpose and support finance teams with the required adjustments (if needed).
- Delivery of the monthly close process, analyzing transactions and preparing required journals.
- Driving continuous improvement within your own areas of responsibility.
- Prepare required reports and presentations for management meetings.
- Being fully aware of and actively complying with Alfuttaim policies and procedures relevant to your own responsibilities and to corporate policies and procedures
- Performing any other reasonable duties as directed by line management

BUDGETING/ Latest Estimate (LE)
- Prepare & compile previous years (LY) budgeted & actual business figures,
- Carry out logical analysis and submit to relevant line managers requesting for current budgets.
- Support the budgeting process by consolidating reports and analysis and prepare the budget/LE summary by division/store/location
- submit for management approval - providing rationale and detailed information to provide guided business decision
- Once budgets approved, carry out the phasing of the budgets for the year and upload information into business system
- Communicate to the relevant parties their budgeted amounts
- Participate in brainstorming sessions for new design ideas.

Required Skills to be successful
- Analytical skills,
- Financial modeling skills,
- Experience in MS Office
- Good communication skills

What equips you for the role
- Bachelor degree in Finance or relevant field
- 7-10 years of experience in Finance and Accounting
- Solid experience in business or financial analysis

About Al-Futtaim Retail

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 (Zara, Mango, Bershka and P&B) across Asia. We are also one of the largest Global partners of Marks and Spencer's in both regions with over 75 stores offering both fashion & food options.

Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse workforce which includes over 100 nationalities across 12 countries. Join us today and make a difference

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.