Senior Store Manager - 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.

Overview of the role
- The Senior Store Manager job to support & grow daily functions within ACE expansion and overseeing all aspects of ACE's retail store's operations, including staff management, customer service, inventory control, and sales performance.
- Responsibilities also include recruiting, training, and supervising staff, ensuring store cleanliness and organization, implementing sales strategies to meet targets, managing inventory levels and ordering supplies, handling customer inquiries and complaints, and analyzing sales data to optimize performance in order to achieve the agreed commercial and financial store objectives.
- The Senior Store Manager is expected to lead by example, foster a positive work environment, and ensure the store meets or exceeds sales and profitability goals while maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
- To place the Store as the Centre of Excellence for ACE being the flag ship store.
- The role will also allow the individual to support the ever-growing pressure of new projects being requested as the business grows.

What you will do

Sales
- Actively driving sales to meet and surpass both top-line (revenue) and bottom-line (profitability) targets.

E-Commerce
- Oversee the E-commerce Team based in store.
- Regular collaborative meetings on Strategic Planning with OMNI Channel

Customer Service
- Has a REAL customer focus, establishes & communicates customer goals and targets while ensuring the highest quality service and results for customers, articulates a strong understanding of customers' needs and does significantly more than required.
- Acts as a role model in understanding and exceeding customer needs, serving as a role model for employees, focusing on exceptional service, and continuously striving to enhance customer satisfaction and service standards within the store team.

Store Standards & Displays
- Ensure that all implementations at store level are completed as per agreed high standards and that escalation channels are in place and are understood by all store teams.
- Develops and executes all aspects of 'retail basics', along with the Regional Visual Manager who will be responsible for ensuring eye catching; effective displays are maintained within the Store.
- All new promotional activities requiring changes to display should be carefully planned and coordinated to ensure the minimum amount of disruption.
- The JH must always maintain the brand integrity through corporate display standards and is responsible for ensuring the display reflects and supports the product suitability for the promotional calendar.
- Work with VM and Space Planning to support seasonal layout changes.
- Support as a Center of Excellence, all workshops during trading year.

Stock Availability
- To ensure the availability and security of stock in the store through the implementation of agreed delivery plans and by following company procedures relating to stock movement.
- To liaise with the buyers / Operations Manager regarding product variety / quality and ordering levels providing feedback where necessary.
- Ensures proper in-store control of stocks through liaising with the help desk and Inventory team to meet the demands and requirements of the business and customers.
- Minimize missed opportunities.

Deployment of Resources and Administration
- Required to oversee the deployment of resources and to constantly challenge his team to utilize all resources to the maximum effectiveness.
- Improve operational cost effectiveness by ensuring the best deployment of material, financial and human resources and by communicating with subordinates for clear understanding of accountabilities, objectives / targets, and measures.
- Manages the annual sales, headcount and expenses to ensure the store's performance is within approved budgets.

Human Resource Management
- With the assistance of the HRBP, the JH will perform recruitment function when required. Ensure that all employees are fully trained and developed to a required standard.
- Acts as a leader in establishing an environment where effective teamwork is considered a normal part of the daily routine, where respect and co-operation are achieved. Promote effective management - by sound personal guidance and advice to subordinates.
- Responsible for 'People Development' and succession planning with a special emphasis on the development of Assistant Store Managers and SSA's.

Monitoring & Control
- Through delegation and supervision, the JH is ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with the company policies and procedures. The JH will be responsible for ensuring his team develops self-checking as a normal part of their daily routine. Fulfil the company objectives through the review of performance against plan, by prompt action to resolve variances and support new corrective action points.
- Ensure the effective implementation of Group & Business Administrative policy and procedures, in collaboration with the Regional Admin & Compliance Manager and maintain high operational store standards, processes and systems in accordance with the approved Group and brand policies. Ensure that proper management of all store functions are maintained & implemented, which will contribute to the efficient and coordinated operation of the store. (Includes compliance with all SOP's).
- Conducts the stock count as per the defined process in the store and in conjunction with Regional Admin & Compliance Manager and develop stock loss action plans.
- Continuous review of costs/expenses of store consumables/stationeries etc. to ensure they are in-line with the budget parameters.
- Review and respond to internal store Audit reports and implement necessary corrective action required.
- To ensure all safety and security standards are met to minimize accidents and losses for the company.

Cooperation and Teamwork
- Works closely with the Regional Office Team to ensure the optimal range presentation is available in store.
- Plays a vital role in coordinating, with the Supply Chain team, all activities associated with store and customer deliveries.
- Works closely with the Inventory team to make ensure that the auto replenishment is working, and regularly review for any issues with stocks not getting replenished by the system to achieve the target availability of the A lines in stores

Market Awareness and Competition
- In-depth understanding of the market to be able to maintain competitive awareness by continuously monitoring the competition and then reacting accordingly to maintain the business advantage.

Business Excellence
- Establishing rapport and good relationship with business partners such as the mall, government entities and sister companies to negotiate the best deals and offers for different promotions and activities which will work to the advantage of the store/s.

Required skills to be successful
- Strategic Planning & Strong Business acumen
- Operational Excellence with Industry best practices
- Leadership skill and Team management
- Experience of leading in a changing environment
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, solve complex problems.
- Strong Customer Focus
- Planning and organizing skills.

What equips you for the role

Education:
- Bachelor's degree Holder in preferably in Business Management or equivalent

Minimum Experience and Knowledge:
- 10+ years of experience of handling large retail/Hyper format with minimum 3-5 years of experience from UAE market.
- Home & DIY experience.
- Arabic speaking would be preferred.
- Multicultural Competence - Ability to understand and navigate the diverse cultural landscape of the UAE, which includes a mix of local Emirati culture, as well as expatriate communities from various backgrounds.
- Knowledge of Local Market Dynamics - Understanding of the retail landscape in the UAE, including key competitors, market trends, and consumer preferences.
- Should have handled large team (100+ staff)

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.

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.