The Merchandising Supervisor/Demand Planner maintains a commercially balanced and evolving merchandise program; aims to achieve profitability and hastened merchandise movement through effective buying and inventory management.
Responsibilities
Merchandise Planning and Buying
- Formulates and monitors OTB plan as approved by Merchandising Manager;
- Supports Merchandising Manager in setting directions through proactive feedback on the effectiveness of previous and current merchandise strategies as well as identification of focus, growth, and exit areas;
- Puts together a commercially balanced product range reflective of agreed business plans, market positioning and customer profile which may include e.g., SMU, Online exclusives;
- Communicates and negotiates with suppliers regarding samples, orders, FOB prices, MOQs and brand building support among others
- Prepares line plan and works with Channel Merchandiser on distribution strategies and applicable revisions once orders have arrived
Inventory Management
- Monitors sell through at brand level of products and proactively takes action to ensure maximum sales and profit is achieved
- Monitors and assesses correctness of current product mix and makes appropriate actions to maximize bestsellers, minimize risks and identify gaps in the market
- Monitors inventory levels and aging and takes action to bring them to profitable levels
- Discusses and coordinates with Brand Person on promotions to improve product sell-through.
- Implements discounting and depletion strategies that are timely and maximizes profit both online and offline
Monitoring and Assessment
- Handles participation in merchandising-initiated sale events and/or annual bodega sale.
- Coordinates with Account Executives on inquiries, orders, stocks and reports relating to corporate orders.
- Reviews any other pertinent documents and forms related to the department and its staff (i.e. Price List, Remittance Advice, Request for Payments, etc.)
Market Intelligence
- Builds on product knowledge and category expertise through familiarization with competitor and complement brands’ product ranges, pricing and positioning.
- Conducts regular store visits and validates flow of merchandise strategy from back-end to front-end and considers appropriate actions to improve.
- Attends trade exhibits and meetings with principals/suppliers as assigned.
- Builds on customer, market and competitor intelligence; establishing similarities and differences in doors per grading band, size or area
People Management
- Works closely with the Merchandise Head on workload of the merchandise team and recommends necessary prioritization.
- Trains, coaches and develops more junior members of merchandising team thus improving their competencies and increasing overall team productivity.
- Develops and conducts product training for door staff and Merchandising Assistant.
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, or any related course.
- 3 years of work experience in merchandise planning, marketing, buying, stock allocation, inventory management, and retail business.
- Oral and Written Communication
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Customer Focus
- Product Knowledge
- Time Management
- Organization
- Leadership
- Interpersonal Relationship
- Decision Making
- Computer Proficiency (MS Applications, etc.)