Head of Planning (Retail Fashion)- Dubai

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of Planning for a leading retail client in the UAE. This role will be responsible for driving end-to-end planning excellence across merchandise, financial, and assortment functions while leading a high-performing team.

• Develop and execute seasonal and long-term merchandise plans aligned with business objectives
• Drive assortment strategies based on customer insights, trends, and market dynamics
• Collaborate closely with buying and merchandising teams to optimize product mix

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning cycles
• Deliver sales, margin, and inventory targets through data-driven decision-making
• Provide strategic insights to senior leadership to support business growth

• Ensure optimal inventory levels across channels to maximize sell-through and minimize markdowns
• Implement effective replenishment and allocation strategies
• Monitor stock health, aging, and turnover KPIs

• Track performance against plan and proactively recommend corrective actions
• Manage OTB (Open-to-Buy) and reforecasting processes
• Drive agile decision-making based on real-time sales and inventory data

• Plan and evaluate promotional strategies to maximize revenue and profitability
• Partner with marketing teams to align campaigns with trading calendar
• Analyze promotional effectiveness and ROI

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of planning professionals
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture
• Build succession plans and strengthen organizational capability

• 18-22 years of experience in retail planning/merchandising
• Minimum 5 years in a senior leadership role
• Strong experience in fashion, lifestyle, or large-format retail (preferred)
• Proven track record in financial planning, inventory management, and assortment strategy
• Strong analytical mindset with expertise in planning tools and data interpretation
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership skills

Considering candidates from Europe and Asia Pacfic regions