Associate Buyer

Job description / Role

As a leader in luxury retail in the Middle East, Al Tayer Group's retail division, Al Tayer Insignia, hosts a portfolio of some of the world's best luxury brands in the fashion, jewellery, home and department store categories. Complementing its position in luxury retail, Al Tayer Insignia has also built new frontiers in lifestyle retail, representing leading brands in the Beauty, Home, Fashion and Hospitality sectors. Our brands include Bloomingdales, Harvey Nichols and Armani to name just a few!

About The Role

As a Associate Buyer - Bags and Accessories , you will be responsible to plan, direct and control the area's sales through its purchases of high quality merchandise at the most advantageous price, in order to meet and maintain merchandising standards and sales and profit objectives.

What You'll Be Doing

Functional Roles and Responsibilities:

- Maintain the return all faulty merchandise to the supplier with the accompanying red debit correctly made out to ensure the department receives a credit. Ensure that that all samples are returned to the supplier when no longer required as applicable.
- Enter the orders onto the system once the buyers returned from buying trip and ensure minimum discrepancies.
- Pay regular visits to warehouse to resolve any shipment discrepancies and delay and liaise with the suppliers in case of any variance/damage to prompt immediate corrective action.
- Maintain regular communication with suppliers as applicable. Assist with the efficient ordering delivery and payment of merchandise to reduce the likelihood of queries and problems.
- To assist the Buyer to research and select from home and abroad, the best quality merchandise suppliers have to offer at the best price to maximize sales and profit margins. In conjunction with the Buyer to control the selection of merchandise for the Sales within the agreed markdown and to reach the agreed stock level.
- Place re-orders as applicable in consultation with buyers and communicate relevant information to all relevant parties in planning and supply chain.
- Maintain accurate database of vendor agreements and forward completed vendor agreements to Merchandise Planning.
- Assist sales staff and management with customer service by placing special orders and providing information on stock availability and product knowledge.
- Consolidate buying feedback reports and provide buyers with reports and recommendations per brand portfolio

People Management Roles and Responsibilities:

- Assumes responsibility for the outcomes of others. Promotes a sense of urgency and establishes and enforces individual accountability in the team. Works with people to establish explicit performance standards. Is completely on top of what is going on and knows where things stand. Provides balanced feedback at the most critical times.
Proactively develops relationships with a wide variety of people. Builds immediate rapport, even when facing difficult or tense situations. Understands interpersonal and group dynamics and reacts in an effective manner. Engages input from others constantly and listens with empathy and concern.
- Readily distinguishes between what's relevant and what's unimportant to make sense of complex situations. Looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answers. Analyzes multiple and diverse sources of information to define problems accurately before moving to solutions.
- Delivers messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Articulates messages in a way that is broadly understandable. Adjusts communication content and style to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.
- Takes consistent action to develop new skills. Finds ways to apply strengths to new issues. Is aware of the skills needed to be successful in different situations and levels. Seeks assignments that stretch him/her beyond comfort zone.
- Decisively makes high-quality decisions, even when based on incomplete information or in the face of uncertainty. Actively seeks input from pertinent sources to make timely and well-informed decisions. Skillfully separates opinions from facts. Is respected by others for displaying superior judgment.

You will need to have the following experience, skills and qualification:

- Minimum High School graduate in any discipline followed by qualification in Retailing or Retail Management/ Purchase/ Sales or related programs.
- Good knowledge and experience in the (related) industry through work experience with international principals.
- Luxury bags and Accessories experience and expertise typically gained over a period of at least 3 - 5 years is preferred.
- Excellent in planning and financial skills.
- Keen to travel & develop network of professional & business relationships.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing market dynamics.
- Relevant experience in buying and supplies, gained within the retail industry.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills. Arabic is preferred.
- Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Power Point.
- Strong Analytical, Leadership skills and Strategic Thinking
- Good Business Acumen and Results Driven.
- Individual Accountability and strong interpersonal skills.

About the Company

Established in 1979, Al Tayer Group is a privately-held, diversified company with operations in 12 countries in the Middle East and beyond. With over 7,800 employees from 95 different nationalities, the Group has its headquarters in Dubai, UAE.

Al Tayer Group operates leading, quality-focused businesses in automobile sales and service, luxury and lifestyle retail, perfumes and cosmetics distribution, engineering as well as interiors contracting. The Groups portfolio includes several of the worlds leading brands such as Armani, Bvlgari, Banana Republic, Ford, Ferrari, Gucci, Gap, Harvey Nichols and Maserati. The Group operates over 180 stores across multiple markets in the Middle East. In addition, Al Tayer Group has investments in commercial real estate, contracting, supply chain management, precision tools manufacturing and travel agency services.