Allocation Manager

We're Hiring: Allocation ManagerLocation: United Arab Emirates (Remote)Employment Type: Full-TimeExperience Level: Mid-Level to SeniorWork Arrangement: Fully RemoteAbout UsWe are a globally focused organization committed to optimizing the allocation of products, inventory, resources, capacity, and operational investments across markets and business channels.Our teams collaborate across Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Sales, Finance, Operations, Logistics, Commercial, and Customer Experience to ensure resources are allocated efficiently, strategically, and in alignment with business priorities.The RoleWe are seeking an experienced Allocation Manager to lead allocation planning, resource distribution, inventory deployment, capacity utilization, and cross-functional allocation decisions.The ideal candidate will analyze demand, inventory, capacity, commercial priorities, operational constraints, and market requirements to ensure the right products or resources are available in the right locations, channels, and timeframes.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and implement allocation strategies aligned with business objectives, demand plans, inventory policies, and commercial priorities.Manage end-to-end allocation planning across products, markets, locations, channels, customers, or operational units.Translate demand forecasts and business priorities into practical allocation plans.Analyze inventory levels, demand patterns, sales forecasts, supply availability, and operational constraints.Allocate products and resources based on demand, profitability, customer priority, service requirements, and strategic objectives.Establish allocation rules, priorities, thresholds, and decision-making frameworks.Balance inventory availability with working-capital requirements and business risks.Monitor stock levels and identify shortages, excess inventory, slow-moving stock, and allocation gaps.Coordinate inventory redistribution between locations, warehouses, channels, or markets where appropriate.Support new product launches by developing initial allocation plans and monitoring post-launch demand.Manage allocation adjustments based on actual sales, changing demand, supply disruptions, and market conditions.Collaborate with Sales and Commercial teams to understand customer priorities and market requirements.Work with Supply Chain and Planning teams to align allocation decisions with production and replenishment plans.Coordinate with Procurement teams regarding supplier availability, lead times, minimum order requirements, and supply constraints.Partner with Logistics teams to ensure allocated inventory can be delivered within required timelines.Work closely with Finance to evaluate allocation decisions from revenue, margin, working-capital, and profitability perspectives.Develop allocation scenarios for constrained supply, high-demand products, seasonal demand, and business-critical requirements.Establish escalation procedures for significant shortages, supply constraints, allocation conflicts, and priority changes.Monitor order fulfillment and service levels resulting from allocation decisions.Identify opportunities to improve inventory availability and reduce stockouts.Analyze allocation effectiveness by product, location, market, channel, customer, and time period.Develop and maintain allocation models, planning tools, dashboards, and decision-support reports.Use historical sales, demand forecasts, inventory data, market intelligence, and business inputs to improve allocation accuracy.Monitor forecast accuracy and incorporate demand changes into allocation decisions.Establish regular allocation review cycles with relevant business stakeholders.Manage allocation calendars, planning deadlines, approvals, and communication requirements.Coordinate allocation activities during seasonal peaks, promotions, major launches, and demand surges.Support allocation planning during supply disruptions, production delays, logistics constraints, and unexpected demand changes.Develop contingency allocation plans for critical products and resources.Ensure allocation decisions comply with inventory policies, contractual commitments, customer agreements, and internal governance requirements.Maintain accurate allocation records, assumptions, approvals, and decision documentation.Identify inefficient allocation patterns and recommend process improvements.Establish controls to reduce manual errors, inconsistent decisions, and unauthorized allocation changes.Support automation of allocation processes through planning systems, ERP platforms, analytics tools, and workflow solutions.Partner with Technology teams to improve allocation systems, data quality, reporting, and workflow automation.Monitor allocation-related costs, inventory carrying costs, transfer costs, and operational impacts.Identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity and reduce unnecessary transfers or handling.Develop allocation performance metrics and communicate results to management.Conduct root-cause analysis of recurring allocation failures, stockouts, excess inventory, and service-level issues.Lead corrective actions and continuous-improvement initiatives.Manage allocation-related projects, process changes, system enhancements, and business initiatives.Provide guidance and coaching to allocation planners and related operational teams.Establish standardized allocation procedures, documentation, and training materials.Benchmark allocation practices and identify opportunities to improve planning maturity.Prepare executive reports covering allocation performance, inventory risks, service levels, constraints, and improvement opportunities.Ensure allocation decisions support overall business profitability, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and strategic growth.Key Performance IndicatorsAllocation accuracyInventory availabilityStockout rateExcess inventory rateOrder fulfillment rateService-level performanceInventory turnoverForecast-to-allocation accuracyAllocation plan adherenceProduct launch allocation performanceInventory utilizationWorking-capital efficiencyTransfer frequencyAllocation-related operating costCustomer satisfactionRevenue fulfillmentMargin performanceDemand-response timeAllocation exception ratePlanning cycle-timeData accuracyAllocation process automationCorrective-action completionContinuous-improvement deliveryIdeal CandidateThe successful candidate should have strong experience in allocation planning, inventory management, supply chain planning, demand planning, merchandise planning, resource planning, logistics, or related commercial operations, preferably within a complex multi-market organization.The candidate should demonstrate:Strong understanding of allocation, inventory, demand, supply, and capacity planning principles.Experience developing and managing allocation plans across multiple locations, markets, products, or channels.Strong analytical and quantitative capabilities.Experience working with demand forecasts, inventory data, sales information, and supply constraints.Strong understanding of inventory optimization and working-capital considerations.Experience with ERP, supply-chain planning, inventory-management, or allocation systems.Strong Excel and data-analysis capabilities; experience with advanced analytics tools is an advantage.Excellent cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder-management skills.Strong commercial awareness and understanding of customer and market priorities.Ability to make informed decisions under supply constraints and changing demand conditions.Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-making capabilities.Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.Ability to manage multiple markets, products, deadlines, and competing priorities.Strong communication and presentation capabilities.Experience managing allocation teams, planners, analysts, or related operational personnel.Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.Experience working with international and distributed teams.Relevant qualifications in supply chain, business, operations, logistics, finance, analytics, or a related discipline are highly desirable.