Founded in 1957, our clients parent Group has over 50 years of experience developing and operating customized supply chain and associated service solutions in demanding environments. Supported by a world-wide network of resources including state – of – the – art warehousing facilities, bulk fuel installations and real time freight tracking capabilities, our client provides workable resolutions to complex client requirements in the areas of food logistics, catering, retail, site services and fuel management.
Our client is the Retail Services Division of this rapidly international FM group and are currently seeking a Purchasing Manager to be based in Dubai to be responsible for purchasing a wide range of food and non – food duty free retail products for our clients 24 PX / Retail units based in The Balkans and Afghanistan.
Reporting into the Retail Operations Controller, the successful candidate will be responsible for purchasing a wide range of food and non – food products for our clients shops. The successful candidate will create, develop and implement strategies to improve sales and gross margin for assigned categories, as measured against KPI specifications.
You will ensure that SOH levels in theatre reflect sales demand as per KPI specifications
and will ensure efficiencies are adhered to, such as lead times, stock weights per category etc.
Key tasks will be to manage and implement temporary outlets as required, monitor the performance of Senior Buyer and review store layouts in conjunction with Senior Buyer.
You will regularly visit our clients outlets and distribution facilities and provide written reports of your visits.
You will ensure our clients buying prices and products are market competitive and relevant and you will prepare product range proposals for business development proposals.
You will assist the Divisional Director and the Operations Controller in the preparation of bids in conjunction with the Senior Buyer.
You will prepare a detailed quarterly category plan including market analysis, ensure all aspects of our clients purchasing guidelines are implemented and maintained and will comply with our clients supply chain guidelines, as directed by the Supply Chain Manager.
You will supervise the procurement of Special Customer Request items (such as Linen) as required for relevant category and will successfully forecast products with acceptable levels of out of stocks and over stocks as per the KPI and you will achieve improvements in gross margins.
You will successfully launch new products and categories in coordination with the Operations Controller, develop and grow the sales of brands of those vendors that have granted our client official distributorship for the Military and Diplomatic Market.
When new products are purchased, you will create spec sheets, including pictures and details and you will meet each fortnight with the Operations Controller and Senior Buyer to discuss the progress of specified categories.
Finally you will prepare detailed category plans to direct the purchasing effort, inclusive of action plans, strategies, vendor plans, space allocations, margins, new product launches and rationalisation of each category.
The role will require regular travel to our clients retail units some of which are based in post conflict areas e.g. Afghanistan.
Knowledge and Skills:
To meet this unique challenge, you will be an ambitious purchasing professional with significant purchasing experience ideally gained in an international recognised retail / duty free operation.
Experience of having worked for companies such as NAAFI, AFFES, DCS etc would be ideal and your experience should ideally be supported by a Business or Finance Degree or a professional purchasing qualification. e.g. CIPS or country equivalent.
In addition to being an experienced Buyer you must have some experience of managing a small purchasing / buying team. You should be familiar with computer based stock, WMS and ERP systems, EPOS and possess a high standard of pc skills. Knowledge of HACCP and ISO 9000 standards would be extremely useful.
You should possess good merchandising knowledge and skills and have a good understanding of international logistics and supply chain operations.
Superb communication and negotiation skills and instant credibility are essential supported by high personal energy levels and enthusiasm.
With outstanding leadership ability and a strong customer focus, you will have the confidence to win credibility and make an immediate contribution.
You should possess excellent communication skills in English and ideally one other language and be able to adapt to rapid changes in a positive manner and work to tight deadlines.
Superb inter-personal skills and instant credibility are essential as you will be inter-facing with a number of people from different backgrounds, nationalities and religions.
You will be resourceful with a flexible outlook, have the ability to multi-task in order to handle competing priorities and be able to fit in to an international dynamic and multi-cultural environment. Finally you should possess a Drivers Licence.
The basic salary is paid in AED and is tax free for an Ex-Patriate employee. In addition there is a bonus earning opportunity which is also paid in AED and tax free for an Ex-Patriate employee.
In addition you will receive 25 days holiday plus public holidays, health insurance and 1 paid return family economy flight per year. Mobilization and De-Mobilization flights are also paid for by our client. A Relocation Allowance of USD 4,500 is available and also assistance with schools fees. A lap top and mobile phone are provided for company business.
