Planning Manager | Al-Futtaim Automotive | Business Planning

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:

We are seeking a detail orientated Planning Manager to execute a robust, data led approach to forecasting, planning and profitability. You will form part of a central function with oversight across all of our Al Futtaim Automotive brands and your efforts will ensure consistency and accuracy in our sales planning. You will always maintain a focus on our overall profitability, ensuring the right level of supportive interrogation of our brand, model and mix level planning, whilst in parallel laying down the foundations and structure for better processes and governance.

What you will do:
- Develop and maintain accurate sales forecasts based on historical data, market trends, and industry insights
- Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to understand demand drivers and incorporate market intelligence into forecasting models
- Work closely with senior management to develop sales strategies aligned with business objectives and market dynamics
- Monitor sales performance against forecasts and targets, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions as necessary
- Partner with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations teams to align forecasting efforts with production planning, inventory management, and financial planning processes
- Conduct thorough market analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive threats, and growth opportunities
- Continuously evaluate and enhance sales planning and forecasting processes, leveraging automation, data analytics, and best practices
- Prepare and present sales forecasts, performance reports, and insights to senior management and key stakeholders
- Support special projects and initiatives related to sales planning, forecasting, and business development, as assigned
- Implement the Automotive Division's monthly sales, production and stock planning to look for opportunities to improve sales and mix: optimising revenue opportunities and mitigating any risks
- Support and contribute to a shift towards more predictive, data led planning and forecasting, in turn driving more profitable decisions and better stock ordering/handling
- Deliver a central intelligence suite for all Al Futtaim Automotive brands to drive consistency and rigor to sales planning and forecasting across Al Futtaim owned brands and competitor brands

Required skills to be successful:
- Knowledge of predictive forecasting models and automation methodologies for sales planning
- Performance reporting and visualisation (including underlying data integrity)
- Excellent analytical skills, with strong attention to detail to identify key trends
- Focus on driving commercial results through the management of intelligent and measurable KPIs

About the team:
This role reports to the Head of Sales Planning and sits within a wider team and will interact with mutliple internal and external stakeholders across business.

What equips you for the role:
- A business or technical university degree is preferred.
- Minimum 3 years experience leading an Automotive Sales Planning role or similar role
- Expert knowledge and experience in volume planning
- Experience and expertise in the Automotive field is preferred with knowledge of complete automotive business model and value chain
- Commercial acumen, clear strategic thinking and ability to create buy-in and influence at a senior level

About Al-Futtaim Automotive

A major division of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, Al-Futtaim Automotive is an industry leader with presence in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Our core business activities at Al-Futtaim Automotive include distribution, manufacturing, leasing and aftersales, and we are firmly established as the regional representative of some of the world's most iconic automotive brands: Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Volvo and RAM.
We are driven by a customer-centric approach, constantly pushing the boundaries on innovation, quality standards, and value-added service across our vast universe of customers - right from motoring enthusiasts to fleet operators to contractors. Our mission is to become the leader in custom-made mobility solutions by delivering nothing less than world-class omni-channel experiences.
We channel our local expertise and global trust to deliver one of the most comprehensive portfolios of mobility products and solutions, from passenger cars to SUVs, electric vehicles to high-performance motorbikes, commercial vehicles to industrial & construction equipment.
What keeps the company moving forward is a 9000-member strong team, with inspiring possibilities for growth, throughout the career path. This is Al-Futtaim Automotive and we empower talent to move forward.

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.