Ashwin Lewis

HEAD PLANNER à Goldenscent LLC

• Émirats Arabes Unis - Dubaï
• juin 2020 à novembre 2021

 Implementing ageing/slow movers action plan.
 Forecasting Sales and Planning the buying on regular cycle.
 Working closely with supplier on forecast of our sales and planning the optimal stocks forward order.
 Development of online planogram for the category that optimizes customer shop ability and sales / profitability.
 Grow the contribution of the Beauty category to the overall sales.
 Ensure overall inventory management via OTB’s and Stock Reports.
 Ensuring Stock & Sales are accurately posted into Inventory system.
 Ensure correct stock levels are reflecting and liaising with dropship suppliers for weekly stock reports.
 Prepare Purchase Orders and liaise with suppliers on delivery.
 Ensure purchase cycle/schedule of re-ordering.
 Create Launch orders for new brands in co-ordination of commercial and marketing departments.
 Prepare monthly sales reports per category (value/ market share/ ranking).
 Supporting marketing with sales and product analysis.
 Commercially visually merchandise all categories and designer pages, being reactive to trade and trends, whilst maintaining strong visual aesthetic.
 Plan and develop merchandising strategies that balance customers’ expectations and company’s objectives.
 Analyse sales figures, customers reactions and market trends to anticipate product needs and plan product ranges/stock.
 Maximise customer interest and sales levels by displaying products appropriately.
 Forecast profits/sales and plan budgets.
 Monitor stock movement and consider markdowns, promotions, price changes, clear outs etc.

Head Merchandise Planner & Analyst à RIGBY AND PELLER

• Émirats Arabes Unis - Dubaï
• mai 2018 à juin 2020

 Prepare OTB for Seasonal Buying.
 Prepare Sales Forecast for future period and plan buying.
 Prepare Store Decide product procurement through host brand range reviews or direct negotiation, including in season buys. (Stayer)
 Budgets with margins to improve profitability of the business.
 Validates reliable forecast by validating historical data and maintaining demand planning attributes and Master Data.
 Category Management and classification of the stores.
 To improve range plans and assortment into stores.
 Stock Balancing / Store transfers to optimize Sales by providing right stock to right stores based on classification.
 Analyzing best and slow sellers weekly to ensure corrective action is taken to maximize sales and stock.
 Monthly action plan on slow movers to deny them to enter aging.
 In charge of execution of inventory management as per budget targets and proper coordination with Operations.
 Planning Budgets and forecasting sales in conjunction with buyers from historical data on sales.
 Planning of budgets for stores and brands at Sub Class Level.
 Measuring and reviewing sell through rates of product and taking corrective action to re-order or re-price as required.
 Stock flow management in conjunction with Logistics to ensure timely delivery of goods and corrective action taken where necessary.
 Commercial analysis of stock and sales to ensure targets are met and exceeded and corrective action taken where required through Weekly sales and Stock reports.
 Assess store execution if merchandising plans, recommend optimum space management options (where applicable) based on store trends/category sales performance.
 Regular store visits to assess stock performance and identify opportunities.
 Planning and Controlling Net Margins in compliance with Planned Finance yearly margins.
 Minimize stock loss and constantly look for ways of reducing costs and improving profitability through delivery of stock accuracy and more efficient stock management (Stock Takes).

Purchase and Forecast Planner à Chalhoub Group

• Émirats Arabes Unis - Dubaï
• mai 2012 à juin 2017

 Prepare Weekly Replenishment tools and Stock balancing to adhere smooth stock coverage.
 Key Role includes Preparing OTB Brand Budget.
 Stock balancing through transfers within doors.
 Classification of Class in items and negotiations with Vendors returns of non-performers and Aged references.
 Key responsibilities in areas of stock covers, mark downs, and reconducted/permanent
 Ensure conformity of Catalogue Management and Assortment Planning.
 Provide insights for store Purchase Budget.
 Liase with Commercial on delisting and introducing new brands based on Supply Chain analysis.
 Drive the Buying cycle - Pre-Buying - Buying - Post Buying.
 Provide support for Replenishment reordering. Support Regional Merchandise manager in decision on reordering.
 Support regional Merchandise Manager in decisions regarding transfers. Monitor levels of stock coverage across the region and provide analyses. Monitor levels of stock ageing across the region and provide analysis. If needed, make suggestions for regional store to store transfers.
 Stock liquidation decisions. Provide recommendation on suitability of SKU for liquidation according to Brand’s guidelines.
 Negotiate Logistics and deliveries. Ensure that suppliers commit on supply windows to enable start of season without delay. If possible, obtain dates of orders confirmation from supplier.
 Design reporting templates and reports. Analyze brand reports at regional level based on consolidated information from local merchandise team and analyses on direct extraction from system

Head Buyer. à Beautybay Lifestyle LLC , landmark group

• Émirats Arabes Unis - Dubaï
• avril 2010 à mai 2012

 Lead the Buying department for the Fragrances and Cosmetics department of Lifestyle.
 Ensuring product volumes, and order flow are optimized in order to achieve target sales objective.
 Identified new opportunities and negotiated timescales with suppliers.
 Analyzing consumer buying patterns and predicting future trends;
 Regularly reviewing performance indicators, e.g. sales and discount levels;
 Managing plans for stock levels, changes in demand, changes in logistics;
 Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products;
 Liaising with other departments within the organization to ensure projects are completed;
 Attending trade fairs to select and assemble a new collection of products;
 Participating in promotional activities;
 Generating and evaluating reports and forecasting sales levels;
 Presenting new ranges to senior retail managers;
 Liaising with shop personnel to ensure product/collection supply meets demand;
 Seeking merchandise feedback from customers;
 Training and mentoring junior staff.

Head Buyer. à Beauty Bay , Landmark Group

• Émirats Arabes Unis - Dubaï
• avril 2010 à mai 2012

Head Buyer - Fragrances and Cosmetics
Responsibilities handled -
 Lead the Buying department for the Fragrances and Cosmetics department of Lifestyle.
 Ensuring product volumes, and order flow are optimized in order to achieve target sales objective.
 Identified new opportunities and negotiated timescales with suppliers.
 Analyzing consumer buying patterns and predicting future trends;
 Regularly reviewing performance indicators, e.g. sales and discount levels;
 Managing plans for stock levels, changes in demand, changes in logistics;
 Maintaining relationships with existing suppliers and sourcing new suppliers for future products;
 Liaising with other departments within the organization to ensure projects are completed;
 Attending trade fairs to select and assemble a new collection of products;
 Participating in promotional activities;
 Generating and evaluating reports and forecasting sales levels;
 Presenting new ranges to senior retail managers;
 Liaising with shop personnel to ensure product/collection supply meets demand;
 Seeking merchandise feedback from customers;
 Training and mentoring junior staff.

Brand Manager and Buying à Giordano fashion

• Émirats Arabes Unis - Dubaï
• novembre 1998 à avril 2010

Brand Manager and Buyer à Giordano Fashions LLC

• Émirats Arabes Unis - Dubaï
• novembre 1998 à avril 2010

• Developed and maintained new brands
• Developed and implemented highly successful marketing campaigns of the brands handled.
• Created new successful solutions to build brand awareness and market share.
• Work with media and PR agency to deliver the marketing campaign.
• Received media recognition and press coverage from major industry sources to include print, TV and radio. Partnered with advertising agencies to plan and execute major public relations efforts
• Create and launch all consumer and retail promotions, co-promotions, corporate sponsorships, marketing collateral, advertising efforts and media relations.
• Manage communications with trade organizations, consumers and the local media.
• Lead all aspects of R&D, market research, price points, competitive analysis, product and packaging design, trend analysis promotional initiatives, both in print and online.
• Advertising and promotion budget management. Administered annual budgets
• Forecasted and optimized expenditures within budget constrains
• Optimizing the planning and placements of the products in the appropriate Retail format.
• Effective Inventory Management.
• Worked in Merchandising apparel assortment and buying.