Job description

About Us

As a leader in luxury retail in the Middle East, Al Tayer Group's retail division, Al Tayer Insignia, hosts a portfolio of some of the world’s best luxury brands in the fashion, jewellery, home and department store categories. Complementing its position in luxury retail, Al Tayer Insignia has also built new frontiers in lifestyle retail, representing leading brands in the Beauty, Home, Fashion and Hospitality sectors. Our brands include Bloomingdales, Harvey Nichols and Armani to name just a few!

Job Purpose

To plan project and identify the requirements of the products, specifically for the digital channels, purchasing the required quantities to meet demand and thereby maximizing profits and providing a commercially viable range of products. Supporting the digital team with accurate product data and acting as the ‘go between’ with external brands to ensure they meet requirements and share information to support technical initiatives, which drive online conversion.

Strategic Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the formulation and execution of the digital buying department’s strategy to ensure best in market results achieved.
• Building strong, mutually beneficial brand and digital team relationships.
• Analyze market trends, consumer preferences, sell through, seasonal demands to formulate a digital buying practice in line with consumer/online demands

Functional Roles and Responsibilities 

• Drive the online exposure calendar in line with consumer needs and key brand launches.
• Support with and suggest promotional calendar based on consumer trends, key market launches, revenue performance, stock on hand, digital and brand opportunities.
• Identify brands that will add value to our online platforms and support Digital buyer with negotiations and brand launch.
• Monitor the stock levels online and coordinate with planning team to maintain optimal stock levels in line with the consumer demand.
• Support the promotional activities online ensuring the merchandise is available in time and in right quantities.
• Receive and analyze reports on the activities and provide recommendations to the Senior digital buyer, when required. 
• Co-ordinate GWP’s for online, ensure items are created and stock is in situ before campaign is launched.
• Support PR and Marketing teams by guiding and validating the selection of products to be included in planned campaigns for the brands.
• Drive conversations with brands to participate in digital initiatives, such as VTO/Skin analysis and Power reviews. Support them with information and in delivering required data needed to adopt the technology.
• Build awareness of the Bloomingdales beauty box loyalty and rewards programs with the brands- share regular performance updates and forecasts for the program and urge them to participate provide skus for the boxes.
• Keep abreast of market trends and awareness of competitor activities, both digital only and Omni channel,
• Review buying feedback reports and monitor sales performance on weekly basis against set targets and provide recommendations to Senior digital buyer, brands as to buying strategy for a respective brand.
• Prepare periodic reports both for the business and as requested by principals analyzing the sale turnover and consumer trends per product to arrive at a proposal to maintain/liquidate/dispose of the stocks in conjunction with Planning and/or continue/discontinue product lines. 
• Support with contract negotiations ensuring optimum commercial terms are agreed for the business
• Monitor stock levels negotiating stock returns/swaps/rtvs when required.

People Management Roles and Responsibilities

• While this role is not a management role, the team member should still display leadership to more junior peers.
• Delegate to, train and support junior team members.
• Provide feedback to Managers and support with development opportunities, when required.
   

Education/Certification and Continued Education

• University Degree in any discipline is preferred but not essential

Years of Experience 

• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in the beauty buying/retailing.

Knowledge and Skills 

• Beauty Industry knowledge.
•  Interest and passion in ecommerce.
• Strong negotiation and project management skills required. 
•  Competent in data analysis.
• Relationship building and management with internal and external stakeholders, brands / principals.
   

Languages

• English essential, Arabic optional

Additional Requirements

• Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills
• Strong planning, financial, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Keen to travel & develop network of professional & business relationships.