Asha Rajam

Senior Merchandiser at M.H Alshaya Co WLL

• Other
• My current job since November 2003

• Handled Women’s wear & Lingerie division together which contributed around 62% of the business.
• Responsible for planning and selecting a range of products within the OTB given.
• Accomplished 2 consecutive years of sales, margin and profit achievement for the division.
• Increased the overall women’s wear contribution from 35% sales mix to 39%.
• Analyzing consumer buying patterns and predicting future trends for coming seasons.
• Improved the business efficiency by reducing overall stock holding to ideal levels and driving higher full price mix.
• Accountable for stock management. Plan (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
• Planning stock/intake requirements to meet the budgeted sales.
• Manage the range building and selection/buying process of ranges.
• Ensuring product volumes, and order flow are optimised in order to achieve target sales objectives.
• Identifying new opportunities and negotiating with suppliers. Meeting strict deadlines and ordering the right product.
• Liaison with Marketing and Sales management to ensure effectiveness of sales campaigns and promotions.
• Plan, develop and implement the strategies and procedures for control of the products bought.
• Responsible for the analysis of the requisition, specifications, pricing, delivery and reports.
• Arrange meetings with the suppliers UK to understand and discuss the aspects of business and to develop effective relationships.
• Prepare updates and reports to supplier for the product performance in a timely manner.
• Regular store and market visits to get regular feedback on products launched and ensure the competency with other competitors.
• Helping and enhancing the teams for self-development and achieve set targets.
• Review competitors and promotional stance and product ranging.
• Product Management-Managing product, Pricing Strategy, Floor Space Management. Planning and Budgeting- Planning, Assortment Planning, Sales and Intake forecast, New Store openings Mark down strategy.
• Shipping, Tracking, Reporting, Replenishing. Training & Development of new joiners in the department.
• Responsible for products launching with marketing to align collection launches and market stories.
• Monitoring inventory levels, placing orders handling returns and overstock situations and tracking supplier delivery performance arise .
• Perform weekly sales analysis activities based on sales reports for regional and local sales.
• Resolving discrepancies on pricing, terms, delivery and other aspects of orders.
• Assisting in product selection provides detailed analysis on current stock and sales, color, sizing and fabric.
• Generating reports to provide expertise to gain greater visibility into the business operations, markets and competition.
• Prepare a comprehensive listing of product lines, monthly promotions, discontinued items, transparencies to be utilized throughout all store locations.
• Executed replenishment on basic and fast selling lines from the host brand.
• Maintaining gross profit on purchases and net profit on sales in line with overall business expectations.