Product and Pricing Analyst | Al Futtaim Automotive | Trading Enterprises

Overview of the role:

• The purpose of the role is to work closely and assist the Senior Manager Product and Pricing for the overall price and product strategy including analyses, statistics and market comparisons. The role consists of ensuring the team develops short and medium-term product plans in line with market demand and overall Trading Enterprise (TE) strategy as well as contributing to the development of long-term market and brand forecasts.

What you will do:

• Managing the entire product lifecycle from strategic planning to tactical activities including but not limited to price, trim levels, and all related product options.
• Rationalizing and maintaining a product offer which drives viability, profitability linked to customer demand in the region. 
• Monitoring the customer and Industry trends and identifying potential threats and opportunities.
• Delivery of product plans on time.
• Determine target customers, primary surrogate, and secondary competitors for each carline to ensure effective positioning.
• Work with the respective brand principals to secure the ideal Product Offer for the UAE Market, including powertrain, series, standard equipment and options given the customer requirements.
• Competitor offers constraints and opportunities of the market and the parameters determined by the Group.
• Recommend series mix by carline to maximize revenue, profitability and volumes. 
• Specifying market requirements for current and future products by conducting market research supported by on-going visits to the network and non-customers.
• Investigate the opportunity for factory sourced and or locally developed special editions/ customized vehicles for both B2C and B2B business and where applicable ensure these are authorized by the principals and validated by the aftersales team.
• Work with the parts department to develop an accessory offer across our brands and improve parts penetration.
• Work with Brand General Managers to determine ideal product offer and positioning for each carline and series.
• Provide a proactive and regular flow of relevant information pertaining to the motor industry with senior management and cross functional teams on product, its performance and major issues or changes in the market or competition.
• Collaboration and close relationship with OEM/ regional offices.
• Working in close co-ordination with the brand marketing managers and advertising agencies in development of material for new and existing models – specifically with information highlighting new features and attributes.   
• Timely provision of feature / benefit information to support marketing collateral.
• Correct product data appearing in all published material. 
• Work collaboratively and conduct in-depth pricing and product analyses, determine the pricing strategy, assist in setting list price and price policies for the respective markets.  
• Produce positioning analysis (Equalization / Visual and Value Adjusted Pricing) analysis for each carline.
• Produce monthly reports on product and price mix for internal and principal reporting while providing accurate reporting market conditions, positions and trends of the UAE market and GCC. 
• Monitor the competitor prices and the brand strategy in the UAE.
• Contribute to the budget building phase to support the Financial Controller.   
• Regular Price, Specification and Positioning reviews.
• Monthly accuracy in planning/forecasting information of order placement analysis and recommendations to Price and Product Manager
• Keep up to date with competitive brands and their product launches by monitoring motoring, general press, websites and relying on principal input. 
• Recommend, set up, conduct and analyze the needed market studies.
• Identify opportunities of innovation through analysis of global trends and initiatives in the brands and creating or adapting solutions for the UAE market, with Hybrid as a key driver.      
• Compliance and alignment to Principal reporting.
• Successful launch of hybrid/alternative energy products.
• Ensuring successful launch of new products by initiating and conducting product launch meetings. Anticipating market evolutions and customer behaviours and expectations as well as analyzing industry products and pricing compared to Trading Enterprises brands and products. 
• Communication on new model introductions, facelifts and necessary product changes within the corporate office and facility wide.    
• On time launches.
• Ongoing sales support material provided to sales teams with Price and Product Manager.
• Improved months of aged stock.

Skills

Required skills to be successful:

1.- OEM experience in product and pricing.

2.- Strong negotiation and presentation skills.

3.- Experience utilizing pricing tools and commercial acumen.

4.- Analytical and financial skills.

About the Team:

• Reporting to the Senior Manager Product and Pricing and will work closely with internal and external stakeholders. 

What equips you for the role:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.
• 4 years of relevant working experience in automotive pricing and product at Original Equipment Manufacturer or Major Distributor Level.
• Experience in utilizing pricing tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment; work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and ensure high quality deliverables with attention to detail.
• Develop, execute, and manage entire product lifecycles. 
• Affinity with cars in general and the automotive industry within Gulf Cooperation Council and mass market automotive brands.