Purpose/ Mission:

This role is responsible for supporting the Buying Manager with Merchandise Planning, providing analysis, insight, and recommended actions as to what drives commercial outcomes in Retail stores. This includes maximizing the profitability of Retail by ensuring the correct product is bought in the right volumes and size ratios for the local market. The role plays a critical role in working with Retail Operations, Category Management, and Visual Merchandising in planning for how the categories and divisions will land in-stores upon execution.

Accountabilities:

Pre-Season

• Establish Commercial Inputs cadence with Retail Operations and use the input to build a request on Range Architecture needed by the Channel to achieve commercial targets
• Work in collaboration with the Buying Manager, Category Managers, and Visual Merchandising to forecast and land in Retail stores the assortment reflective of the country’s strategic priorities
• Identify commercial opportunities for the channel and ensure the linelist reflects this; else, initiate a request to add these into the range
• Work with Buying Manager on the Open-To-Buy (OTB); highlight and raise concerns to ensure the buy is based on both historical full price sales and future potential (trend)
• Use sell thru/sell out data in all Buying decisions; keep in-tune with current and upcoming trends
• Work with Retail Operations and Visual Merchandising to develop option plans that are aligned to the consumer needs and stores’ space allocation
• Steer and support the enhancement of all product planning systems and tools to suit world class merchandising practices
• Provide fact-based product input and feedback for internal/external stakeholders (Pre and Post Season)

In-Season

• Conduct frequent analysis of product performance and work with Retail Operations and In-Season Trading to develop actions around maximizing opportunities and mitigating losses
• Analyze inventory thru monthly OTB and take necessary actions
• Monitor product delivery and ensure stores across stores are stocked with the right level and quality of inventory  
• Take action to optimally flow of end of season stocks (PLC management)
• Support all Store Openings/Closings/Remodels in regards to product/assortment
• Communicate with Retail Operations and Store leaders to get insights on consumer insight

KPIs

• Category Net Sales vs Category Buy
• Full Price Sell Thru of Campaigns
• MOH, Rate of Sale
• Category , Divisions , Gender Share of business
• Terminal Stock/Pull Out
• Size Viability*

Key Relationships

• Country GM
• Country DTC Lead
• Country Retail Operations team
• Country Marketing team
• SEA Merchandising

Compliances

•  Observe global and local policies and procedures in all dealings;
• Support Hub/Cluster/Country changes and directions;
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned from time to time

Professional background/ Experience:

Education:

University degree in business, ideally with marketing and sales focus or equivalent professional experience

Merchandising Experience: 2-3 years