Regional Merchandising Manager

Chalhoub Group

UAE

Ref: GP285-819

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

LACOSTE is a unique, casual luxury brand that aims to offer consumers with high quality and professionalism through creation, style, manufacturing and retail as well as providing a unique client experience regardless of distribution networks, physical or digital, everywhere in the world!

We are seeking an experienced Regional Merchandising Manager who brings combined experience and expertise to lead the Merchandising department regionally.

What you will do

You will be responsible for setting the merchandising strategy, OTBs, product lifecycle, and gross margin in alignment with the Division's strategic direction for the short and long term and within the Brands' guidelines. You will also be responsible for the full life cycle of stock from what stock to buy, to where it should be allocated and to how it should be sold or disposed of, as well as managing the logistics of this cycle to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. You will be leading the Buying, planning, supply chain and Visual merchandising departments and teams.

Strategic:

- You will develop the business plan of the Department in line with the Division strategic objectives
- You will formulate and communicate Department performance objectives and continuously monitor progress and alignment towards strategic objectives

Managerial:

- You will Develop the Department policies and procedures in order to ensure the fulfillment of organizational requirements
- Oversee the operations of the Department, provide expertise, encourage teamwork and facilitate related professional work processes in order to achieve high-performance standards and staff pride in contribution
- Monitor the yearly budget of the Department and control expenditure to ensure optimal use

Operational:

- Gross Margin and Sell-Out Targets:
- You will generate and develop the gross margin during budgeting and ensure they are achieved
- Ensure that specific potential of each store by validating sell-out targets by store
- Ensure that overall sell-out targets by store is in line with sell-out by categories at regional level
- Category Management, Assortment Planning & Catalogue Management:
- Handle category management for the Brand and assortment planning in stores
- Monitor that breakdown by categories is consistent with objectives set
- Ensure that assortment planning of stores optimizes turnover and profitability
- Monitor that corrective actions are taken if needed (e.g. rebalancing)
- Ensure that the Brand's catalog of references is available in store
- Ensure that assortment is optimized throughout the season (transfers, discounts)
- Purchasing and Ordering Strategy:
- You will monitor buying cycles for all Brands and set the strategy for replenishment for the entire region
- Ensure that the potential of the stores, in terms of purchase, is well captured by defining store grading and assortment range by type of stores
- Ensure that the proposals of sell-out targets for in-season buying are set according to the best estimate on overall potential of categories by proposing sell-out targets per categories at the regional level
- Set parameters of replenishment for basic references for the entire region (frequency, lead time, min-max, etcâ)
- Liaise with suppliers for discounts/ better terms when needed (or when supplier delays)
- Inventory Management and Stock Liquidation:
- Optimize inventory management in the region
- Ensure that stock aging levels remain within budget targets for all Brands handled
- Provide insights on the action plan to dispose/destroy written-off goods in line with Brand's instructions
- Liaise with suppliers to negotiate favorable conditions for returns to vendors (e.g. damage)
- Provide analysis on pricing vs online prices, prices in Europe, etc. on a quarterly basis

Logistics Operations:

- Set strategy for deliveries, monitor supply chain efficiency and ensures that right balance between supply chain planning and achievement of profitability targets (e.g. clubbing shipments, change of transportation mode)
- Set the supply delivery calendar, monitor its execution by local team and escalate unresolved delays and variances to Division manager if needed
- Decide on tactical changes of incoterms to reduce the cost of delivery and negotiate with suppliers to change them, if needed

People Management:

- You will assign individual objectives for employee performance management purposes, manage performance, empower staff, and provide formal and informal feedback in order to support professional development and maximize performance
- Ensure optimization of resources through proper manpower planning

We see success in the role as having a strong analytic and planning background, the ability to use data in assessing what stock to buy and where to place it, how to replenish and when to reduce stock prices. You will also have a great eye for identifying the right stock to buy for the region based on both data and market knowledge.

The role will also cover our e-commerce platform, so previous experience covering omni channel would also be helpful.

Requirements

More specifically, we would love to hear from you if you can say yes to the below

- A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience with at least 3 years in a similar role
- Business acumen and negotiation skills
- Ability to plan and strategize
- Ability to set budgets, expectations and deliver results
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with ease

Ready to join our exciting transformation to become a hybrid retailer, bringing luxury experiences to the fingertips of our customers everywhere? Now's your chance. By being part of our journey here at Chalhoub Group, you can make a real impact on customers and some of the finest brands in the world. In return, you'll have everything you need to innovate your career.

What we can offer you

We will help shape your journey with us through enriching experiences, learning and development opportunities and exposure to different assignments within your role or through internal mobility.

Our Group offers the opportunity to support careers that may span different teams, different job roles, different categories and even different countries. We offer diverse career paths for those who show drive and passion as well as the desire to learn and grow.

Amazing benefits

We recognize the value that you bring, and we strive to provide a competitive benefits package which includes healthcare, life insurance, child education contribution & exclusive employee discounts.

About the Company

The Chalhoub Group is the leading partner for luxury across the Middle East since 1955. As an expert in retail, distribution and marketing services based in Dubai, the group has become a major player in the fashion, beauty and gift sectors regionally.

By blending its Middle East expertise and intimate knowledge of luxury, Chalhoub Group is building brands in the region, by offering service excellence to all its partners and a unique experience to its customers through its passionate teams.

With a growing workforce of more than 9,000 people, implemented in 14 countries, as well as the operating of over 470 retail outlets, the group's success is attributed to its most valued asset of highly skilled and dedicated teams. Professionalism and passion are what fuel the Chalhoub Group's competitive edge in today's market.

By being committed to implementing sustainable practices into their business, the Chalhoub Group has been awarded in 2013 the CSR Label from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

Get personalised updates on latest vacancies
Job Alerts by Email
  • Personalised updates on latest career opportunities
  • Insights on hiring and employment activity in your industry
  • Typically sent twice a month