Merchandise Planner

Job description / Role

Overall responsible for the efficient management of sales forecasting, stock target setting, product intake planning, stock allocation and clearance activities. Play an instrumental role in reducing the inventory level and manage the sales & stock turnover within the targeted margins.
• Should able to manage the full Merchandising cycle in account with planning, forecasting of sales, stock & margin within the approved set budget.
• Contributing to the pre-season planning process
• Preparing reports, analyzing findings and providing accurate information to the management.
- Prepare periodic reports to highlight the sales performance of the products for submittal to the Management in making informed business decisions to drive profitability.
• Develop and implement a stock analysis to identify obsolete/slow moving stock. Suggest action plan for liquidation of stocks.
Problem Solving (If any)
- Degree to which thinking is constrained by rules, procedures, policies, methods.
- The complexity of the problems which will be encountered and original thinking required to get solutions.
- All the merchandising action to be carried within the brand guideline & the approved financial budget.
- Analyzing and getting to the root cause of the problems and instant resolution with approved parameters.
Accountability
- To suggest markdowns & offers within the financial budget with the approved parameters and ensure that any markdown prices are incorporated in the system.
- To set the RSP in accordance to the budgeted margin for the season with the approved parameters.
- Compare Retail prices and cost in QAR and highlight any issue.
- To prepare the OTB figures based on annual sales, stock budgets and prepare sales forecast by brand, dept and season.
- Develop location plans by department based on trend, store profiles, competition, and seasonal conversion issues. Identify location growth opportunities and minimize down-trending businesses.
- Develop and implement a stock analysis to identify obsolete/slow moving stock. Suggest action plan for liquidation of stocks.
- Control inventories at the store level to maximize sales, inventory and profitability and ensure the stores are stocked on key items and replenished merchandise at all times in order to achieve maximum stock efficiency.
- Coordinate with the Store Managers and logistics to ensure the goods are delivered to the stores as per the quantity specified within the agreed timelines.

Requirements

Educational Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience:
• Minimum 3 years previous experience in Merchandise planning.
• Strategic Thinking
• Strong Analytical Skills
• Sound IT Skills- Generating Reports – with exposure to advance excel.
• Budgeting
• Customer Relationship Management
• Negotiation & Influencing
• Research & Analysis
• Acquisition & Contract Management
• Report Writing
• External Sensitivity/ Market Awareness
• Strategic Development and Articulation

About the Company

United Development Company (UDC) was established in July 1999 as one of the leading private sector shareholding companies in the State of Qatar and the Middle East, and has been listed on the Doha Securities Market since June 2003.

UDCs mission is to identify and invest in long-term projects contributing to Qatars growth and providing good shareholder value. The company has an authorized share capital of QR 1.072.5 billion (US $294 million), a market capitalization of US$ 902MM and total assets of US$ 1,131 MM.

From day one, the companys mandate and mission has been to become a cornerstone of the development of Qatar, creating lasting value and maximizing returns for partners and shareholders.