Stock Operations Manager

Our client Muscat Duty Free is looking to hire a Stock Operations Manager for their company. The ideal candidate would report to the Head of Retail.

Stock Operations & Floor Management

• Oversee that shop floors remain fully stocked, accurately merchandised, and aligned with company merchandising standards and supplier planograms.

• Ensure timely and accurate transfer of saleable stock from the warehouse to the shop floor.

• Guarantee all products are properly tagged, barcoded, and labeled with correct Shelf Edge Labels (SELs) to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• Manage special stock requirements (e.g., temperature-controlled, fragile, or high-value items) ensuring compliance with storage and display guidelines.

• Monitor and coordinate timely replenishment orders from bonded warehouses or central stores to avoid stockouts.

• Lead and ensure full-time participation in periodic and ad-hoc stock counts.

Merchandising & Display

• Maintain excellence in pricing accuracy, SELs, and visual presentation across all categories.

• Ensure cleanliness and organization of the sales floor, fixtures, and displays.

• Enforce planogram compliance and supplier merchandising agreements.

• Liaise with the Commercial team to align product range, stock levels, and merchandising strategy with Muscat Duty Free objectives.

• Ensure back-of-house storage areas are organized, secure, and stock is easily traceable without excess or misplaced items.

Stock Control & Handling

• Supervise proper handling, movement, and acceptance of stock by the team, ensuring adherence to company processes and minimizing damage or shrinkage.

• Maintain oversight of stockholding levels, reporting shortages, overstocks, and exceptions proactively.

• Analyze non-moving and slow-moving items, escalating to the Commercial team for clearance actions.

• Validate that damages, discrepancies, and losses are declared daily, and investigate root causes in coordination with the Security team.

• Conduct and finalize regular stock counts, preparing detailed reports and compliance audits.

• Oversee inventory-related data entry, ensuring all postings are accurate, documented, and digitally archived.

• Produce and review exception, promotion, and compliance reports, escalating deviations to the Head of Retail and relevant stakeholders.

• Monitor warehouse stock levels on a weekly basis, ensuring replenishment is aligned with sales trends and forecasts.

Team Leadership & Compliance

• Lead, coach, and monitor Stock Operations colleagues, including scheduling, roster management, holidays, and performance oversight.

• Ensure compliance with company SOPs, HR policies, and audit requirements.

• Conduct monthly compliance audits, providing reports with findings, corrective actions, and progress tracking.

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams (Commercial, Marketing, Retail Sales, and Airport Authorities) to resolve stock and merchandising issues quickly.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Retail Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.

• A minimum of 2–5 years’ experience in stock operations, travel retail, airport duty free, or luxury retail.

• Proven expertise in inventory control, stock planning, and large-scale retail operations.

• Strong track record in stock optimization, loss prevention, and compliance management.

• Analytical skills with proficiency in data-driven decision-making and retail KPIs.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, 24/7 airport environment, with flexibility to work shifts, weekends, and holidays.