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