- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Manager
- Department
- Merchandising, Buying & Planning
- Posted
- Nov 10, 2026
About Chalhoub Group
Founded in 1955 by Michel and Widad Chalhoub, Chalhoub Group has grown into a leading partner for luxury across the Middle East. Headquartered in Dubai, the family-owned group brings together international maisons and homegrown concepts across fashion, beauty and lifestyle, combining regional expertise with retail and distribution capabilities. As an employer, it offers career opportunities spanning client experience, brand management, merchandising, logistics and digital innovation. Its multicultural environment connects employees with the evolving expectations of luxury consumers, while its emphasis on learning, entrepreneurship and sustainability provides a distinctive setting for professionals seeking to shape the region’s luxury landscape.
Chalhoub Group is hiring a Merchandise Planning Manager in Dubai on a full-time basis to optimize sales, margin and inventory through forecasting, OTB management and balanced stock and supply plans across channels. The role leads planning, demand forecasting, operational execution, performance analysis and a team of Merchandise Planners and Allocators.
Role & Responsibilities
- Create and maintain demand forecasts, Open to Buy (OTB) and inventory plans (MSSI) with Buying, Finance, Retail and Ecommerce teams, using sales data, market conditions and supplier input to inform merchandise strategies and profitable decisions.
- Develop brand-level stock and supply plans by channel and brand, based on sales and buying budgets.
- Oversee store allocation and replenishment parameters; fashion allocation execution is performed by allocators.
- Prepare and input data for internal Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes, aligning demand, supply and financial objectives.
- Challenge Buyers’ and Commercial teams’ seasonal and new-product demand forecasts using historical data and sales performance of comparable items.
- Input rolling demand forecasts for permanent and baseline products, incorporating historical data, promotions, key-account sell-out forecasts and network evolution.
- Build capacity plans that account for supply-chain, logistics and vendor constraints.
- Manage markdown and liquidation plans to optimize inventory turnover, reduce obsolescence and protect margin.
- Collaborate with vendors to maintain relationships and align on supply requirements.
- Identify ageing stock and execute liquidation strategies to improve inventory health.
- Validate order requests and coordinate with the Order Management team for timely, accurate execution.
- Monitor planning KPIs, including Full Price Sell-Through, stock levels, ISA (Inventory Service Availability), DOI (Days of Inventory), OTIF (On-Time In-Full) and fill rates.
- Conduct post-mortem analyses of previous seasons to identify insights and best practices for future planning cycles.
- Manage Merchandise Planners and fashion Allocators, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives.
- Mentor and develop team members, fostering collaboration and planning best practices.
Qualifications
- 5–7 years of experience in merchandise and supply planning, preferably in retail, fashion or related industries.
- Hands-on expertise with planning tools such as Blue Yonder, SAP or similar advanced systems.
- Proven ability to manage seasonal and permanent product planning cycles effectively.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field.
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail to ensure data accuracy and actionable insights.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills for working with cross-functional teams, including Buying and Order Management.
- Knowledge of inventory management principles, OTB calculations and markdown planning.
Skills
Experience
5–7 years in merchandise and supply planning, preferably in retail, fashion or related industries.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field.
Benefits
Healthcare, child education contribution, remote and flexible working policies, exclusive employee discounts, learning and development opportunities, exposure to different assignments, and internal mobility.
Culture
Chalhoub Group combines its heritage as a family-owned business with the dynamism of the Middle East’s luxury sector, fostering a multicultural workplace rooted in collaboration and long-term relationships. Its culture emphasizes continuous learning, entrepreneurial initiative and excellence in customer experience, encouraging employees to develop their expertise while contributing to the evolution of luxury retail.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.