Manager - Inventory Control

Who we are:
GMG is a global well-being company retailing, distributing and manufacturing a portfolio of leading international and home-grown brands across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties and logistics sectors. Under the ownership and management of the Baker family for over 45 years, GMG is a valued partner of choice for the world's most successful and respected brands in the well-being sector. Working across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia, GMG has introduced more than 120 brands across 12 countries. These include notable home-grown brands such as Sun & Sand Sports, Dropkick, Supercare Pharmacy, Farm Fresh, Klassic, and international brands like Nike, Columbia, Converse, Timberland, Vans, Mama Sita's, and McCain.

**Role Summary**
To lead the inventory management function for GMGs multi-vertical operations in UAE, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and control from inventory planning through reconciliation and system posting. This role demands deep SAP ERP/EWM knowledge, cross-vertical expertise, and strong leadership capabilities to drive stock integrity across warehouses and retail stores.

**Responsibilities**
**Strategic Inventory Planning, Execution & Control**:

- Design and execute end-to-end inventory strategies tailored to the dynamics of each business segment.
- Define and own the annual/cyclic stock count calendar by vertical - Collaborate with retail ops, warehouse, and finance to align on scope, resources, and readiness for inventory events
- Ensure team readiness, system setup, and pre-count checks are in place. - Standardize inventory best practices across all divisions while adapting workflows for category-specific requirements.
- Own and manage physical stock counts (cycle, perpetual, and full counts) ensuring adherence to GMG SOPs
- Coordinate with external and internal stakeholders for parallel execution across geographies
- Lead variance analysis (shortages/overages), identify trends, and initiate corrective actions
- Coordinate between stores, DCs, and finance for timely resolution of count discrepancies
- Govern shrinkage investigations and documentation
- Ensure reconciled stock is accurately posted in SAP ERP/EWM within defined SLAs
- Validate that all manual adjustments have proper justification and approvals
- Deliver post-inventory audit reports and improvement recommendations
- Cross functional collaboration across BUs Process Management & System Optimization:

- Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of inventory systems (ERP/WMS) across multiple warehouses and retail channels.
- Standardize and document inventory control processes across all categories while allowing for necessary customizations.
- Drive automation and digitization initiatives to enhance inventory visibility, reduce manual errors, and enable real-time stock tracking. Analytics & Reporting:

- Build and manage inventory KPIs: accuracy, shrinkage, aging stock etc.
- Produce detailed inventory performance dashboards for each business line, identifying trends and proposing corrective actions.
- Collaborate with Finance for accurate inventory valuation and reconciliation during audits and financial reporting.

**SAP ERP & EWM Mastery**
- Own and govern all inventory transactions and flows within SAP
- Monitor real-time inventory updates across SAP ERP/EWM (MM/IM/EWM) - Resolve transaction mismatches (GRNs, STOs, returns, transfers, etc.) and lead system testing for enhancements
- Collaborate with IT to improve process automation, system integrity, and error-proofing

**BU/Vertical Specific Control**
- Tailor inventory practices based on the nuances of each business:

- Sports Retail: SKU-rich environments, launch management, seasonal push-pull flows
- Supermarkets: Expiry handling, FIFO/FEFO logic, rapid replenishment cycles
- Pharmacy: Regulated items, compliance-led inventory, batch/serial controls - Furniture: Space-bound handling, limited turn inventory, bulky SKUs.

**Leadership & Stakeholder Collaboration**
- Lead a team of inventory controllers, warehouse supervisors, and audit support staff - Develop team KPIs and continuous improvement targets across functions
- Act as the primary liaison for inventory with business heads, finance, audit, compliance, IT, and operations
- Prepare and present inventory dashboards and control reports to executive leadership