Head of Planning - Food | Retail | M&S | UAE

Lead the Food Planning function across MENA & Asia, owning the planning strategy, governance and capability required to maximize the value delivered through RELEX. The role is accountable for forecasting, replenishment and inventory planning performance across all Food categories and markets, ensuring consistent planning standards, data-driven decision making and continuous optimization of availability, waste and inventory investment. Working closely with Buying, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Logistics, Technology and M&S UK, the Head of Planning will establish a best-in-class Planning function that supports business growth, operational excellence and long-term planning maturity. What you will do:- Description of Accountability: • Lead the Food Planning function across MENA & Asia, establishing governance, planning standards and consistent ways of working. • Own RELEX as the business owner, ensuring the platform delivers maximum business value through forecasting, replenishment and inventory optimisation. • Develop and continuously improve planning policies, planning parameters and planning governance across all Food categories. • Deliver market-leading demand forecasting and replenishment performance to maximise availability while optimising inventory investment and waste. • Lead and develop a high-performing Demand Planning and Replenishment Planning team through coaching, capability development and succession planning. • Partner with Buying, Supply Chain, Retail, Logistics, Technology and M&S UK to align planning decisions with commercial priorities and operational capability. • Drive planning innovation, automation and continuous improvement through RELEX capabilities, analytics and AI-driven planning. • Monitor planning KPIs and provide strategic recommendations to senior leadership to improve commercial and operational performance Required Skills to be successful: • Advanced Demand Forecasting • Replenishment & Inventory Planning • Forecast Accuracy Management • RELEX (or equivalent AI Planning platform) • Planning Governance • Planning Policy & Parameter Management • Inventory Optimisation • Data Analytics & KPI Reporting • SAP • Power BI / Excel • Stakeholder Management • Leadership & Coaching • Continuous Improvement • Change Management • Strategic Planning • Strong commercial acumen and decision-making What equips you for the role: • 10+ years' experience within Retail Planning, Supply Chain Planning or Food Retail. • Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Business Management, Retail, Operations Management or related discipline. • MBA or equivalent professional qualification desirable. • Proven experience leading Planning, Forecasting or Inventory functions. • Experience managing regional or multi-market planning operations. • Strong understanding of Demand Planning, Replenishment Planning and Inventory Optimization. • Experience implementing or operating advanced planning platforms (RELEX preferred). • Demonstrated experience leading organizational change and planning transformation. • Experience influencing senior stakeholders across Commercial, Supply Chain, Retail and Technology functions.