Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation:

This role is responsible for maximising the profitability of the Singapore Market Retail and Franchise business by building and driving Merchandising strategies. Responsibilities include the development and implementation of merchandising best practise to ensure delivery of specific trading activity in conjunction with key strategic business goals. The role is also key to driving cross functionality across key departments within the Market and in conjunction with SEA & EM 

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the Retail Director in shaping the Retail and Franchise merchandising strategy.  Point out local needs and escalate these  for consideration in the Singapore strategy.
• Steer the enhancement of all merchandising systems and tools to suit world class merchandising practise.
• Be aware and contribute to improvements in Allocation and Replenishment (A&R) techniques.
• Drive the framework for key promotional analysis techniques (proactive and reactive).
• Drive the regular analysis of competitor activity and prepare a comprehensive report to SEA & EM (pre-, in- and post-season).
• Review and guide the overall market and competitive pricing strategy and deliver a comprehensive pricing policy based on the results and business goals (pre-, in- and post-season).
• Contribute to a set of key merchandising reports that help evaluate the business goals and ensure this is rolled out within the teams.
• Manage and approve Open-To-Buy (OTB) of the market.
• Work jointly with Store Operations and drive development to ensure grading/option plan is in line with space management (pre-season)  and Singapore retail and Franchise net sales.
• Ensure integration of ratio management in all merchandising activities.
• Ensure that best practise is actioned for in depth analysis to support buying commitment decisions.
• Review and action fact-based category input and feedback for internal/external stakeholders.
• Guide the teams for best practise end-to-end in season management including management of best sellers and worst sellers, in season stock cover management, in season reactivity and sales to space management using the tools available such as the Weekly Stock Sales and Intake (WSSI).
• Provide guidance and strategy for execution of end of season stock management.
• Oversee the optimal flow of merchandise incl. fulfilment of product/marketing introduction deadlines/capacity planning.
• Work collaboratively with Marketing, Visual Merchandising (VM) , Store Operations and cross channel merchandising teams.
• Ensure the given budget is invested to achieve targets by effective use of range planning.
• Store visits as needed and advised by superior.
• Other duties as requested by your manager.

People Management:

• Evaluate the competencies of his/her subordinates on a regular basis and provides prompt and feedback and guidance to drive high performance
• Takes ownership for Talent Management processes to grow, develop and retain talents.
• Promote a high performance culture by setting clear expectations and individual goals.
• Translate the company goals into team specific actions and business plans. Control and monitor performance and results.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Leadership and influencing skills
• Advanced user of MS Office suite of products
• Fluent in English

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in business, ideally with marketing and sales focus or equivalent professional experience
• Merchandising/ Product Experience: 10-12 years
• Management Experience: 5 years