Overview of the role:

The Retail Operations Assistant Manager will be accountable to maintaining and increasing the efficiency of Store Operations. Responsible for identifying cost improvement opportunities within the operation, working on key busines projects with senior stakeholders maximise store efficiency for betterment of customers and staff and lead the implementation of new processes to reform in store operations improving Service, Standards and across the business

Supports and assists the Head of commercial operations with trade and commercial planning, Works closely with Regional Managers and Store managers to deliver the business strategy.

Systematic planning, implementing, monitoring, and revision of all the channels of communication between stores and regional office. It also includes the organization and dissemination of new communication directives connected with all different departments of Marks and Spencer. The job holder will be responsible for the Store operations from process flow & improvements, technology, and vendor/solution selection in collaboration with stake holders.

This position is critical to the success of the M&S MENA operations which include the overall business growth strategy in Foods, the clothing & home goals and the shift in customers shopping habits. This will be achieved through shift in store operational processes delivering best practice through technology and experience.

The role is responsible for the stakeholder engagement with the Principle and the M&S department function leads. Markets covered are UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Kuwait, KSA.

What you will do:-

Description of Accountability:

Retail Operations

• Design & development of operational retail efficiencies aligned to and supporting the M&S store transformation
• Develop business cases and/or demand requests as required and work in partnership with AF retail teams to deliver projects (POS , RFID , CAFÉ)
• Utilise existing and new platforms to stay in touch with the needs of our customers and colleagues
• Develop an effective network in other industries to share and learn best practice and identify opportunities to apply the most effective future industry thinking
• Identify, Deliver and Embed cost reduction initiatives in OPEX Cost Areas and the end-to-end operations
• Design and Implement more efficient processes and ways of working in stores
• Constantly explore opportunities to drive customer experience, growth, loyalty and data
• Ability to recognise new opportunities in a retail environment to drive sales

Sales & Reporting

• Uses the business daily, weekly and monthly MI to understand store
• performance in line with the Operations Plan and KPI’s.
• Support business to make discernible differences across the
• operations with accurate and insightful data analysis. - Timely reporting - Data Analysis and process
• Demonstrate knowledge of and experience with software tools to create, edit, and analyze complex reports, graphs, and presentations.
• Be able to make sound decisions and the ability to take initiative and accountability for the accuracy of information.
• Collaborate with EIT and others to standardize reporting and automate reports where possible

People & Communications

• Work with HRBP to deliver targeted people solutions to create employee engagement, compliance to HR Policies and local legislation
• Set up succession plans to sustain continuity and development.
• Role model M&S and AL Futtaim Leadership Competencies and Way behaviours
• Build, coach and develop the team across each region ensuring the talent pipeline
• Ensure clear goals and accountabilities are set and communicated to the team
• Support Head of Commercial Operations in communicating and cascading key messages to store team members.
• Monitors stores’ staffing model reflects store activity; makes recommendations to utilise the maximising resource process to ensure right people, right place, and right time.
• Ensures the retail communication plan is delivered on time through
• the working week framework.

Cost

• Investigates & manages all store reporting to maintain accuracy,
• Drive efficiency and provides advice & solutions where necessary to

maintain data integrity.

• Provides evidence to stores to drive actions required to reduce stock

and cash losses.

• Monitors the shrinkage action planning process and assists in the

identification, protection and improvement of stock loss across the

store.

Provides productivity data, reviews, and makes recommendation to improve Business targets.

Service

• Delivery of KPI measures of performance and operational excellence through leveraging colleague capability, teamwork, and collaboration
• Working as part of a diverse and experienced store team where you will be confident to challenge peers and work collaboratively creating an inclusive and diverse workplace and the M&S brand
• Responds to and deals with internal and external customer queries,

concerns and complaints

• Delivers great service for our customers and acts as a role models ‘”Doing the Right Thing’ and living our Values in retail “ Inspiration ”“Innovation” “Integrity” and “In Touch
• Prepares and provides all retail MI and delivers on time in line with agreed SLA’s
• Work with Sake holders to drive a productive and efficient operation in a store which trades and operates legally and safely, protecting Customers, Colleagues,

Skills

Required Skills to be successful:

• Interpersonal Skills.
• Problem analysis and problem-solving
• Technical knowledge
• Delighting Our Customers
• Collaboration 
• Managing Complexity 
• Influencing Others
• Taking Initiative
• Drive for Results
• Engaging Leadership
• Developing Talent

What equips you for the role:

• Bachelor Degree (Masters Preferred)
• 5+ years’ experience in similar field.
• Excellent communication skills across all levels, including influencing senior stakeholders
• Resilience and confidence to drive and deliver cultural and behavioral change and develop at team of colleagues for the future
• Team player who can communicate effectively and build strong relationships in order to work confidently alongside a strong, high performing leadership team
• Desire to push boundaries and collaboratively make a difference
• Strong understanding of retail operational principles as well as the ability to analyse and interpret a range of commercial data to support decision making in order to drive sales performance
• Ability to work as part of a diverse and experienced store team and be confident to challenge peers and work collaborative
• Excellent numerical reasoning with statistical analysis preferred and uses data, customer insight and market analysis to plan and create a clear strategy
• Guides colleagues through change by involving them in the decision-making process, keeping them in the loop and asking for opinions
• Holds themselves and their teams accountable for delivering objectives and business targets
• Excellent presentation skills and the ability to simplify complex problems/messages
• Strong negotiation skills – the ability to influence a skeptical audience
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task
• High level of motivation, enthusiasm and persistence.
• Ability to be a change agent within the organisation.
• Highly analytical person with great precision and attention to detail
• Problem solving skills
• Working knowledge in SAP – ERP system (preferred) Good knowledge of MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint Strong analytical skills