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 A"rab 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.

Job Location : IKEA Jebel Ali

Overview of the role

Strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, business partnering, financial analysis, investments, feasibilities, automation & regional projects. Moreover, manage approvals, tracking, accounting and reconciliation of capital expenditure, fixed assets and inventory.

What you will do

Business / Financial Planning
- Support and / or manage business / financial planning, including but not limited to strategic planning, budgeting, and quarterly forecasting in coordination with Group / Retail Finance and business stakeholders. Business / Finance planning process include guidelines, timelines, formats / templates, central inputs, analysis, consolidation, reviews, presentation, Anaplan upload, SAP & BPC validation etc.
- Manage fortnightly Cash forecasting in coordination with relevant stakeholders

Management Reporting & Financial Analysis
- Prepare, analyze, and circulate daily, weekly, and monthly management information reports
- Develop new reports and continuous improvement of existing reports
- Support in testing and automation of management information / business intelligence reports
- Variance analysis and initiate corrective actions
- Support with adhoc financial information, analysis, and support for business functions and stores
- Prepare business or management review presentations

Business Partnering
- Participate, support, or lead initiatives / projects to drive business performance and efficiencies
- Proactively communicate key variances, risks and opportunities to relevant stakeholders for corrective actions
- Collaborate with and support business navigation community for performance improvements

Fixed Assets
- Plan, coordinate, procure approval for capital expenditure
- Manage Asset creation, capitalization, transfer, verification, and disposal of Fixed Assets
- Prepare and circulate Capex Tracker / Fixed Assets Register
- Provide samples, analysis, schedules, and information for internal and external audits

Inventory
- Manage inventory posting, reconciliations and alignment across systems
- Carry out regular inventory analysis to support liquidation
- Provide samples, analysis, schedules, and information for internal and external audits

Business Development, Feasibility Studies, Investment Committee, Approvals
- Participate in Market Potential Development Projects, prepare feasibility reports, investment committee presentations and procure approvals for new projects / investments
- Participate or support business development initiatives / projects like gift cards, BNPL etc.
- Support to prepare post completion reviews or evaluations
- Plan and maintain tracker for pre-operative expenses

Required skills to be successful
- Strong computer skills - including ERP knowledge (preferably SAP, Navision) and advanced MS-Excel knowledge
- Good analytical and presentation skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Financial modelling and problem-solving skills.

What equips you for the role
- MBA / ACA / CFA with 3 years' experience in above roles preferably in Retail
- Knowledge of MS Excel and accounting software (preferably ERP - SAP and Navision)
- Desirable to have detailed know how of the IKEA concept and working methods
- Planning, organizing, responsible, analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills

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

Before you click "apply": Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.

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.