Business Navigator

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world’s most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day

 

 

Overview of the role:

Work together with the Store Management team members in an inspiring, supportive and challenging way to steer the Store towards growth, optimal performance and sustained long-term profitability, in line with IKEA & Al-Futtaim objectives and values.

 

What you will do:

CASH OFFICE OPERATIONS

• Oversee and control the cash office functions and ensure daily/ weekly and monthly routines are followed.
• Perform necessary Audit measures to ensure that the daily reconciliation of collections is true and fair in all aspects.
• Audit the cash in the Business Navigation department.
• Accountable for Cash Office transactions including the following :
• Daily reconciliation of store takings & reporting.
• Forex reconciliation and monitoring of exchange rates.
• Cheques collection and control.
• Tally of safe funds daily.
• Credit Card reconciliation.
• Gift Voucher redemption and reconciliation.
• Banking of the various tender types store petty cash.

 

PROCESS AND COMPLIANCE

• Follow up on previous audit reports & check the implementation of audit recommendations (including
• documentation).
• Support the Regional Office in creating, and amending SOPs to improve operational efficiencies, without compromising on the operational standards.
• Maintain store SOP library (digital and physical) for store team access as necessary.
• Ensure total compliance with IKEA and Al-Futtaim policies as applicable for operations & financial aspects.
• Proactively monitor areas of the Store that could lead to possible stock losses and fraud if routines are not updated and communicated properly. Drive Sales & Profitability.
• Meets or exceeds profitability expectations for the store in sales, payroll, shrink and conversion.
• Creates and executes strategies to maximize store sales and control expenses.

 

RECOVERY

• Manage and control all IT types and ensure audit compliance on stock movement.
• Achieve recovery index goals while minimizing recovery stocks.
• Analyze the increase in inventory stock movement and discuss with store management ways to optimize.

 

FINANCIAL & OPERATIONS

• Manage and share the following with the store team:
• Store sales tree: daily, weekly, monthly & yearly.
• Budgeting and forecasting: mid-month flash, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and 5/10 years.
• Store Business yearly business plan
• CAPEX plan and execution.
• Manpower budgeting.
• Analyze & discuss store P&L performance every month with the store team and follow up on the discussed action plan.
• Understand and help the Store Manager to control expenses in the P&L for the Store identify areas of opportunities and highlight out-of-line situations.
• Ensure that all administration routines are followed across the Store and show a proactive approach in suggesting checks and corrections in the store’s operational processes.
• Work with the department head in the vendor/supplier selection process to ensure the best possible service at a lower cost.
• Accountable for preparation ROI for all activities and investment in coordination with the store team.
• Ensure that accurate reports are provided to the store/regional office management consistently to meet reporting deadlines.
• Coordinate preparation of store KPIs for store and regional management analysis and actions.
• Analyze and discuss individual department KPIs with the department; agree and follow up on action plans.

 

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

• Develop cash office co-workers to maximize efficiency and future development.
• Active involvement in Store Manpower planning to maximize productivity.
• Active involvement in the staff planning process for the store to ensure coverage to maximize manpower productivity.
• Lead staff planning process in-store to maximize utilization of co-workers (right number, right time, right place).
• Lead and train the team to be able to carry out all cash office and admin/audit functions.
• Ensure training plans and development plans are in place for Recovery & Cash Office teams, with the support of L&D.

 

What equips you for the role:

Minimum Qualifications and Knowledge:

Education: A University Degree in Business Administration/Finance/Commerce

 

Minimum Experience and Knowledge: 

• Minimum of 5 years of finance & accounting experience preferably in the retail industry.
• Experience in Audit & managing teams/departments.
• Advanced user of MS Office apps, especially Excel.
• Must have strong analytical and tactical planning abilities
• Must have a highly developed understanding of retail operations
• Must have an interest in home furnishings

 

Job-Specific/Technical Skills required to complete the tasks:

• Budgeting and forecasting knowledge and skills.
• Cost management.
• Business & financial analysis.
• Very Good Command of the English language.
• Very Good Command of the Arabic language is preferred

 

Behavioral Competencies & Interpersonal Skills:

• Must have excellent Communication skills
• Must be able to share their knowledge and learning with others
• Must have the ability to build solid working relationships
• Good coaching & training skills.
• Ability to bring out the best in Co-workers and to motivate and develop the organization
• Ability to create an environment where the IKEA values are a strong and living reality that embraces the diversity of Co-workers and visitors
• Business Acumen.
• Problem Solving skills
• Strategic Thinking.

 

 

About Al-Futtaim Retail

Al-Futtaim Retail has established itself as one of the leaders in Retail across the Middle East, Africa & Asia over the past 30 years. We have developed partnerships with some of the biggest and most respected Brands in the world including IKEA, ACE and Toys R Us in the Middle East and the Inditex Group of Brands (Zara, Mango, Bershka and P&B) across Asia. We are also one of the largest Global partners of Marks and Spencer’s in both regions with over 75 stores offering both fashion & food options.
 
Most recently we have been responsible for bringing brands to the Middle East for the first time with the exciting launches of Watsons and B&Q and we aim to continue to be agile and adaptive to our markets with new launches and further development. For this to be possible we aim to recruit the best talent from all backgrounds who will continue to challenge and develop our diverse workforce which includes over 100 nationalities across 12 countries. Join us today and make a difference…