Job Description

Merchandise Planning Manager - Retail - GMG - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
The Merchandise Planning Manager at GMG is responsible for driving financial merchandise planning, inventory optimization, and in-season performance management across assigned brands and categories. Based in Dubai, this role focuses on maximizing availability, profitability, and inventory health through data-driven planning, disciplined OTB management, and effective execution aligned with GMG retail objectives.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Retail
Function: Merchandise Planning and Buying
Salary: 20000-30000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Summary
The Merchandise Planning Manager leads end-to-end financial planning and inventory control for retail brands and categories, covering pre-season planning, in-season forecasting, markdown strategy, and performance analysis. The role partners closely with buying teams to ensure optimal stock levels, strong sell-through, and improved GMROII across stores and regions.
Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive financial merchandise plans based on analytics, customer insights, historical trends, and future projections
• Define and manage pre-season budgets, in-season forecasts, open-to-buy management, and new store planning
• Plan and execute markdown strategies including mid-season and end-of-season sales using sell-through, inventory age, and weeks of cover analysis
• Prepare and monitor brand and category MIS reports covering sales performance, inventory health, forecasts, and replenishment needs
• Drive decision-making across key metrics including sales, stock levels, margins, OTB, forward cover, and financial performance
• Communicate approved plans clearly to buying teams and support effective in-season execution across regions
• Conduct periodic reviews of merchandise plans to ensure profitability targets are achieved
• Perform gap analysis to prevent stock-out situations and maintain availability
• Identify slow-moving and obsolete stock, secure approvals for markdowns, and ensure timely liquidation
• Prepare variance analysis comparing budgeted versus actual sales and inventory performance
• Monitor and track GMROII and sales density targets by brand and category
• Ensure timely execution of sales events and promotions in line with the approved trade calendar

Ideal Profile

• Proven experience in retail merchandise planning or financial planning roles
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with hands-on experience managing OTB and markdowns
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights and commercial decisions
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience partnering buying and retail teams
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple categories or brands

Skills Set

• Merchandise and financial planning
• Open-to-buy and inventory management
• Markdown and liquidation strategy
• GMROII and sales density analysis
• MIS reporting and variance analysis
• Advanced Excel and planning tools
• Stakeholder communication and coordination

Why Join Us

• Strategic role within a leading global retail and well-being group
• Opportunity to influence profitability and inventory efficiency at scale
• Exposure to multi-brand, multi-region retail operations
• Career growth within a structured and performance-driven organization

About the Company
GMG is a global well-being company operating across retail, distribution, manufacturing, properties, and logistics. With over 45 years of heritage and a strong footprint across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG manages a diverse portfolio of international and home-grown brands. The company continues to invest in advanced merchandise planning, analytics, and operational excellence to drive sustainable growth and strong retail performance across its markets.
Job Title Merchandise Planning Manager - Retail - GMG - Dubai, UAE
Merchandise Planning Manager - Retail - GMG - Dubai, UAE
Position Overview
The Merchandise Planning Manager at GMG is responsible for driving financial merchandise planning, inventory optimization, and in-season performance management across assigned brands and categories. Based in Dubai, this role focuses on maximizing availability, profitability, and inventory health through data-driven planning, disciplined OTB management, and effective execution aligned with GMG retail objectives.
Job Details
Country: UAE
City: Dubai
Industry: Retail
Function: Merchandise Planning and Buying
Salary: 20000-30000 monthly (Market estimated)
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Summary
The Merchandise Planning Manager leads end-to-end financial planning and inventory control for retail brands and categories, covering pre-season planning, in-season forecasting, markdown strategy, and performance analysis. The role partners closely with buying teams to ensure optimal stock levels, strong sell-through, and improved GMROII across stores and regions.
Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive financial merchandise plans based on analytics, customer insights, historical trends, and future projections
• Define and manage pre-season budgets, in-season forecasts, open-to-buy management, and new store planning
• Plan and execute markdown strategies including mid-season and end-of-season sales using sell-through, inventory age, and weeks of cover analysis
• Prepare and monitor brand and category MIS reports covering sales performance, inventory health, forecasts, and replenishment needs
• Drive decision-making across key metrics including sales, stock levels, margins, OTB, forward cover, and financial performance
• Communicate approved plans clearly to buying teams and support effective in-season execution across regions
• Conduct periodic reviews of merchandise plans to ensure profitability targets are achieved
• Perform gap analysis to prevent stock-out situations and maintain availability
• Identify slow-moving and obsolete stock, secure approvals for markdowns, and ensure timely liquidation
• Prepare variance analysis comparing budgeted versus actual sales and inventory performance
• Monitor and track GMROII and sales density targets by brand and category
• Ensure timely execution of sales events and promotions in line with the approved trade calendar

Ideal Profile

• Proven experience in retail merchandise planning or financial planning roles
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen with hands-on experience managing OTB and markdowns
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights and commercial decisions
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience partnering buying and retail teams
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple categories or brands

Skills Set

• Merchandise and financial planning
• Open-to-buy and inventory management
• Markdown and liquidation strategy
• GMROII and sales density analysis
• MIS reporting and variance analysis
• Advanced Excel and planning tools
• Stakeholder communication and coordination

Why Join Us

• Strategic role within a leading global retail and well-being group
• Opportunity to influence profitability and inventory efficiency at scale
• Exposure to multi-brand, multi-region retail operations
• Career growth within a structured and performance-driven organization

About the Company
GMG is a global well-being company operating across retail, distribution, manufacturing, properties, and logistics. With over 45 years of heritage and a strong footprint across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG manages a diverse portfolio of international and home-grown brands. The company continues to invest in advanced merchandise planning, analytics, and operational excellence to drive sustainable growth and strong retail performance across its markets.
Post Details
Job Start Date
Salary from 20000.00
Salary to 30000.00
Number of Vacancies 1
Location -
Location City Dubai
Desired Candidate's Profile
Gender No Preference
Nationality
Candidate Current Location

Skills Required