Manager_Merchandise Planning_Planning & Merchandising Concept 2.Shoe Mart.UAE_JAFZA_Shoe Mart

POSITION & CANDIDATE SPECIFICATION

REPORTS TO : AGM - Supply Planning, Shoemart

DIRECT REPORTS : Supply Planners / Planning Analysts

KEY INTERACTIONS : Territory Retail Heads (GCC), Buying, Demand Planning, Merchandising, Logistics & Warehouse, Finance

Supply Planning Manager, Shoemart (B9)

About The Role

Supply Planning & Allocation

• Own and execute the end-to-end supply planning process, translating buying decisions and confirmed purchase orders into structured supply and allocation plans across all GCC markets.
  Ensure ideal stock levels across all channels in line with channel sales strategy and stock cover targets


• Manage the phasing and allocation of stock to territories and stores, ensuring the right product reaches the right location at the right time, in line with seasonal calendars and store-level requirements.


• Develop and maintain supply plans that are aligned with open-to-buy budgets signed off by the buying team, without duplicating the OTB-setting or buying decision process.


• Ensure new season product is allocated and available in stores as per agreed launch timelines, coordinating closely with warehouse and logistics on inbound readiness.


• Translate confirmed demand signals from the demand planning team into executable supply and distribution plans, serving as the bridge between upstream buying and downstream store execution.

Territory & Retail Collaboration

• Serve as the primary supply planning interface for Territory Retail Heads across all 6 GCC countries, ensuring their stock requirements, market-specific needs, and store performance insights are embedded into supply planning decisions.


• Conduct regular structured reviews with Territory Retail Heads to assess stock availability, coverage levels, and allocation performance at a country and store level.


• Work with Territory Retail Heads to identify market-specific supply priorities such as local events, peak trading periods, Ramadan, back-to-school, and national holidays, ensuring supply plans reflect these requirements proactively.


• Escalate and resolve stock availability issues raised by Territory Retail Heads in a timely manner, coordinating with internal teams to provide solutions without disrupting store operations.


• Incorporate territory-level sell-through and performance feedback from Retail Heads into future allocation and replenishment cycles to continuously improve supply responsiveness.

Replenishment & Stock Management

• Manage the replenishment of core and continuity lines across all stores, ensuring consistent availability while maintaining stock cover within defined financial parameters.


• Monitor in-season stock levels across territories and stores, identifying imbalances and driving inter-territory or inter-store stock transfers as required.


• Partner with the merchandising and demand planning teams to act on agreed reorder triggers, without owning the forecasting or demand modelling process.


• Manage terminal and slow-moving stock visibility across the supply chain, flagging risks to relevant stakeholders and supporting clearance planning in coordination with the buying and retail teams.

Order Execution & Inbound Coordination

• Track all confirmed purchase orders from placement through to delivery, maintaining accurate inbound supply visibility and ensuring alignment with agreed lead times.


• Act as the key liaison between the buying team and logistics on shipment scheduling, prioritization of inbound deliveries, and resolution of supply delays — without owning vendor negotiations or freight operations.


• Maintain accurate order and allocation data in planning systems, ensuring all supply movements are reflected correctly and in a timely manner.


• Flag inbound supply risks to the Head of Supply Planning and relevant Territory Retail Heads as early as possible, with proposed mitigation plans.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Build and maintain supply planning dashboards tracking key metrics including stock cover by territory, allocation fill rates, weeks of supply, and inbound delivery performance.


• Conduct regular supply performance reviews with Territory Retail Heads and internal stakeholders, presenting clear analysis and actionable recommendations.


• Report on supply planning KPIs to the Head of Supply Planning, highlighting areas of concern and continuous improvement opportunities.


• Support the business in tracking supply planning's contribution to the overall 8% revenue growth target through improved availability and reduced lost sales.

Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; postgraduate qualification or professional certification (APICS/CPIM/CSCMP) is preferred.


• Minimum of 6 to 8 years of experience in supply planning or inventory allocation, preferably within a multi-market retail environment.


• Prior experience working in or with GCC retail markets is a strong advantage, with an understanding of territory-level trading dynamics and seasonal demand patterns.


• Demonstrated experience collaborating with retail or commercial teams, with the ability to translate store-level needs into supply planning decisions.


• Strong proficiency in planning tools, ERP systems, and advanced Excel; experience with retail planning software is an added advantage.


• Excellent communication and influencing skills, particularly in managing relationships with senior retail stakeholders such as Territory Retail Heads.


• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret supply chain data, identify patterns, and make commercially sound decisions.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities across 6 GCC countries in a fast-paced, multi-brand retail environment.