A dynamic multi-brand retail organization in Dubai, UAE is hiring a detail-oriented and commercially minded Inventory Controller — Retail Finance (Inventory & Stock Control) on a one-year contract. Sitting within the Finance team, this role works closely with Supply Chain, Buying, Warehouse, and Store Operations to keep inventory records accurate, investigate stock discrepancies, support stock counts, reconcile inventory accounts, and report on stock performance. It suits finance professionals with 3–5 years of inventory accounting, retail finance, cost accounting, or inventory control experience, strong Excel skills, and ERP exposure. Power BI is highly desirable.
Inventory Accounting & Stock Control Scope — Retail Finance Team Dubai
Inventory AccountingCOGSStock ReconciliationInventory ValuationLanded CostGross Margin AnalysisCycle CountsExcel · Power BIAudit Support
CONTRACT ROLE: 1-Year Contract · Dubai, UAE · Category: Supply Chain and Logistics
About the Role — Inventory Controller (Retail Finance), Dubai UAE
Team: Finance — Inventory & Stock Control
Location: Dubai, UAE — multi-site, multi-brand retail environment
Focus: Inventory control · Stock reconciliation · Inventory accounting · Physical stock verification · Financial reporting on merchandise inventory
Works With: Finance · Supply Chain · Buying · Warehouse · Store Operations
Contract: 1 year · Job ID: 3895
Why This Inventory Controller Role in Dubai Stands Out
Finance Meets Operations: This is not a pure accounting seat — you will spend time with warehouse, store, buying, and supply chain teams, turning stock data into decisions that affect margin and availability
Multi-Brand, Multi-Market Retail: Work across a retail organization operating several brands and markets, giving you wide exposure to inventory flows between warehouses, stores, and distribution channels
Skills That Transfer: Inventory valuation, COGS, landed cost, stock reconciliation, and Power BI reporting are in demand across retail, FMCG, fashion, and consumer goods in the UAE
Contract Opportunity: A one-year contract is a practical way to build UAE retail finance experience, contribute to process improvements, and strengthen your profile for future permanent roles
Position Overview
The Inventory Controller — Retail Finance is responsible for inventory accuracy across the business. You will monitor stock movements, investigate discrepancies, support stock counts, and provide analysis and reporting that improve financial accuracy and operational performance. The role covers inventory control, stock reconciliation, inventory accounting, physical stock verification, and financial reporting on merchandise inventory — including oversight of stock transfers, stock counts, discrepancy investigations, inventory reconciliations, audit support, and inventory controls.
Why This Role Matters: For a retailer, inventory is often the largest asset on the balance sheet — and the place where money quietly disappears through shrinkage, damage, mis-posted transfers, or inaccurate counts. As Inventory Controller, you keep the numbers honest. You find out why the system says one thing and the shelf says another, fix the cause, and give management clear reports they can trust. Accurate inventory means better margin, better buying decisions, and smoother audits.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Accounting & Controls
- Monitor and control inventory movements across warehouses, stores, and distribution channels
- Make sure inventory balances are accurately reflected in financial and inventory systems
- Review and reconcile inventory accounts, stock adjustments, and inventory-related financial postings
- Support month-end and year-end inventory close activities
Stock Reconciliation & Analysis
- Investigate inventory discrepancies and identify root causes
- Reconcile physical stock counts against system records
- Analyze inventory variances, shrinkage, damages, and stock losses
- Ensure inventory transactions are accurately recorded and supported by documentation
Physical Stock Counts
- Coordinate and support cycle counts and annual stock-taking
- Review count results and work with operational teams to resolve discrepancies
- Monitor compliance with inventory policies and procedures and recommend improvements to accuracy and control
Reporting & Business Support
- Prepare inventory, stock aging, shrinkage, and variance reports for management
- Build dashboards and reports in Excel and Power BI
- Turn inventory data into actionable insights for finance and commercial teams to support decisions
Audit & Compliance
- Support internal and external audits related to inventory
- Maintain strong inventory documentation and audit trails
- Ensure compliance with financial controls, policies, and accounting standards, and monitor inventory risks with corrective actions when needed
Qualifications & Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce (B.Com), Business Administration, or a related discipline
- Professional qualifications such as CMA, CPA, CIMA, or equivalent are advantageous
Experience
- 3–5 years of experience in Inventory Accounting, Retail Finance, Cost Accounting, Inventory Control, or Financial Analysis
- Retail, fashion, lifestyle, FMCG, consumer goods, warehousing, or supply chain experience is highly preferred
- Experience working in a fast-paced, multi-site retail environment
- Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, INDEX/MATCH, and financial analysis
- Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Dynamics, JDE, or similar; Power BI experience is highly desirable
- Practical understanding of landed cost calculations — freight, customs duty, insurance, and import costs — and inventory-related journal entries and financial controls
Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with close attention to detail and financial accuracy
- Able to work independently and manage several priorities at once
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- A continuous improvement mindset and a passion for process excellence
About Retail Finance & Inventory Control in Dubai, UAE
Dubai is one of the Middle East’s busiest retail markets, with a dense mix of fashion, lifestyle, FMCG, and consumer goods brands operating across malls, standalone stores, and online channels. Multi-brand, multi-site retailers depend on accurate inventory data to manage margin, avoid stockouts, limit shrinkage, and pass audits — which keeps demand steady for finance professionals who understand both accounting rules and warehouse and store realities. Contract roles like this one are a practical route into the sector, offering exposure to inventory accounting, commercial finance, and retail operations. The listing does not name the employer, so applicants should confirm company details through the application page.
Career Outlook: Inventory Controllers in retail finance can progress toward Senior Inventory Analyst, Inventory Accounting Manager, Retail Finance Manager, and Financial Controller roles — well-regarded, well-compensated positions across the UAE’s retail and consumer goods sector.
Who Should Apply?
- Inventory Accountants: With 3–5 years handling inventory reconciliations, valuation, and COGS in retail, FMCG, or consumer goods businesses
- Retail Finance Analysts: Who enjoy working with stores, warehouses, and buying teams and want to move closer to stock and margin analysis
- Cost Accountants & Financial Analysts: With landed cost, gross margin, and variance analysis experience looking for a hands-on inventory-focused role
- Inventory Control & Stock Audit Professionals: With cycle count and stock-take experience, plus the finance knowledge to explain what the numbers mean
- Excel & Power BI Power Users: Who can build clear dashboards and turn stock data into practical recommendations for commercial teams
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