Merchandising Manager

Job description / Role

Provides strategic direction to multiple brands or single major brand to exceed brand profitability targets. Overall responsibility for planning and maximizing sales and profit contribution. Ensures margin targets are achieved through timely management of OTB, stock allocation and replenishment, terminal stock management and retail price architecture. Ensures all stores deliver consistent approach through proper merchandise planning. Builds and maintains professional relationship and best working practices with the host brands.

Sales and Profit
- Maximizes turnover by ensuring accurate, timely and commercial sales and stock planning and re forecasting both like for like and new stores. Produce sales and margin plans and forecasts by store by week. Drives correct attitude for brand development to fully potentialise turnover
- Ensures the brand delivers business plan profit through delivery of both volume and cash margin, maintaining brand profitability by management of full price and mark down sales, intake margins, level of mark down activity and terminal stock. Re forecasts on a continuous basis through the plan period. Ensures clear pricing structure reflecting both local market and host brand positioning to ensure maximum competitiveness.

KPI
- Achievement of budgeted net margin earnings and sell through ratio
- Positioning of Brand through new product areas, growth, pricing and competitiveness on behalf of the business

Stock Management
- Plans (including Open To Buy), ordering, allocation and subsequent replenishment based on receipt and distribution of merchandise, building stock for peak trading periods and mitigating terminal stock.
- Create and set in place an effective seasonal trading and promotions calendar in.
- Proactively set in place an Action Plan (in conjunction with Operations Managers) in response to any adverse stock take result
- Establish clear pricing architecture for each range/ brand according to the local market requirements
- Seek feed back and suggestions from each team member as part of the seasonal planning process
- Accountable for driving increased full price sell through and margin each season
- Ensure sale and promotional plans are communicated to Area/ Operations Managers within realistic timescales.
- Accountable for establishing inventory targets and analyzing/ maintaining the desire level of stock cover across all stores - across all brands
- Ensure Logistics are informed regarding volume/ range plan at the beginning of each season and the phase allocation details are clearly communicated.
- Ensure logistics are informed of any change to the monthly launch schedule.
- Regular communication to buyer of department product opportunities and OTB changes.

Host Brand Interface
- Prepare required reporting for buying trips with the Brand on a seasonal basis.
- Work in conjunction with the brand to maximize product opportunities for the local market by providing regular and structured feedback to the Principals
- Liaise with Principal Brands on stock package and planning for new store opening
- Monitor Competitive Activity, discuss with Operations and take appropriate action
- Aware of market trends and demographics within each region and utilize this information to maximize sales and develop the brand

KPI
- Growing and retaining high performance brands

People Development
- Manage training, development and motivation of staff in the area to ensure that the department is staffed with the requisite number and caliber of staff to meet its objective and that all staff are encouraged to maximize their capability and contribution
- Coach Store Managers to proactively review and influence their stock package in order to maximize sales within their local market.

Requirements

- University Degree in any Discipline
- Proven Track record in Retailing and Purchasing gained over a period of at least 7 -10 years
- Successful track record in merchandise planning, demand planning and replenishment experience with the ability to articulate the essence of the customer.
- Proficient in relevant planning, finance, analytical and data management systems
- Creative problem solving skills, strategic thinking and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated partnership and relationship building skills
- Excellent people management
- Keen to travel and develop network of professional and business relationships
- Strong oral and written communication skills

About the Company

Majid Al Futtaim Fashion provides a platform for the introduction of world-class fashion and retail brands in the region, developing their presence across the Middle East. Their aim is to be the international retail partner of choice for some of the worlds most desirable brands. The Company believes the strength of a brands success is through the focus of its people. Having the right retail structure, with the right people, ensures that a brands integrity is maintained to the highest level and that the customer experience is aligned to global standards.

The leading retail arm of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, Majid Al Futtaim Fashion has the rights to operate the internationally renowned Juicy Couture brand throughout the region. Juicy Couture is one of the most popular casual luxury brands in the Middle East and continues to be a retail success with over 18 stores currently open across the region and further plans to expand the into new markets in 2014.

Other brands operated by Majid Al Futtaim Fashion include one of the UKs leading fashion retailers Jane Norman, the metropolitan casual lifestyle brand Mexx and ITSUGAR the US confectionary brand with an attitude.

The eclectic Spanish brand Hoss Intropia, and the iconic fashion brand Halston Heritage, were recently added to Majid Al Futtaim Fashions portfolio. Tremendous demand for both brands is anticipated this year with an aggressive rollout of new stores planned throughout the region.

In early 2013, Majid Al Futtaim Fashion announced a joint ventures agreement with the leading American retailer and casual wear clothing brand, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (A&F), with respect to its Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch brands. The agreement is to develop Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitchs presence within the UAE, further supporting the brands international growth. As Abercrombie & Fitch Co.s first physical foray into the Middle East, the landmark joint venture partnership with Majid Al Futtaim Fashion should significantly broaden A&Fs regional potential across the GCC, further adding to the regions offering of exceptional market leading international brands.