Planner – Al Tayer Group

Al Tayer Group is hiring a Planner for Ounass, the group’s luxury e-commerce platform, in Dubai. Al Tayer Insignia, the luxury retail arm of Al Tayer Group, has spent more than four decades bringing international fashion and lifestyle brands to the UAE and the region, and the group also runs the luxury e-commerce platform Ounass. Merchandise planning is the commercial engine behind any fashion retailer, and in this role you will help make sure the right products are bought in the right quantities and timed to sell profitably.

As the posting describes it, you will look after the planning for an assigned division, category or brand on Ounass, translating commercial and buying strategies into workable plans. In practice, that typically means building and managing seasonal sales and stock plans, setting open-to-buy budgets, tracking sell-through and weeks of cover, forecasting demand, and recommending actions such as reorders, markdowns, transfers or changes to future buys. You will work in close partnership with buyers, merchandisers, finance and supply chain.

The posting also mentions contributing to planning tools and process improvements, and ensuring compliance with Al Tayer Group’s financial and operational policies. That suggests a role for someone who is comfortable not only running the numbers but also improving how planning is done, whether that means better reports, cleaner processes or more effective use of planning systems.

The role suits an analytical planner or merchandiser with experience in fashion, luxury or e-commerce retail, strong Excel and reporting skills, a commercial mindset and the confidence to challenge buying decisions with data.

In fashion retail, inventory is the largest investment and the biggest risk. Buy too much and the business is forced into heavy markdowns that erode margin; buy too little and it misses sales and disappoints customers. A strong planner manages that balance, protecting both revenue and profitability. For Ounass, where luxury products carry high unit values and customer expectations are demanding, good planning ensures that the most desired items are available while limiting excess stock that ties up cash. In-season management is equally important: spotting fast sellers early to reorder, and slow sellers early enough to act before markdown becomes the only option. Accurate open-to-buy control keeps spending aligned with financial targets, giving finance and leadership confidence in the plan. Improvements to planning tools and processes increase the speed and quality of decisions across the team. Overall, effective planning has a direct, measurable impact on gross margin, inventory health and the customer experience on the platform.

Merchandise planning is one of the most respected commercial career paths in retail, combining analytical rigour with a direct influence on business performance. Planning for a luxury e-commerce platform like Ounass gives you experience with high-value product categories, fast-moving digital sales data and the specific challenges of online retail, such as rapid demand signals and the absence of physical store constraints. You will work closely with buyers, finance and supply chain, building a broad commercial understanding that is valuable for future leadership roles. The opportunity to contribute to planning tools and process improvements also builds a valuable track record in transformation and systems, which is increasingly important as retailers invest in advanced planning technology. Common progression paths include senior planner, planning manager and head of planning, with some planners moving into buying, commercial finance or general management. Al Tayer Group's scale and portfolio of brands offer potential for internal mobility and exposure to different retail models. Working in Dubai's luxury retail market also connects you with one of the region's most dynamic and competitive retail environments. For an analytical retail professional who enjoys numbers and wants to shape commercial outcomes, this is a strong role for long-term growth. It is a role where good analysis is visible in the results.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, retail management or a related field
• Experience in merchandise planning, allocation or merchandising, ideally in fashion, luxury or e-commerce retail
• Strong understanding of OTB, sell-through, weeks of cover, margin and markdown management
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with planning systems and BI tools is an advantage
• Ability to build seasonal sales and stock plans and reforecast in-season
• Strong analytical and commercial judgement
• Experience partnering with buyers and finance teams
• Interest in process improvement and planning tools
• Clear communication and presentation skills in English