Category Manager
Abu Issa Holding
مجموع سنوات الخبرة :11 years, 10 أشهر
Managing a Category of Bags, Wallets & Accs under Mosafer concept for 5 countries: Qatar, UAE, KSA, Turkey & USA
Mosafer having a business model of distribution, retail and e-commerce. Total no. of Mosafer retail stores in all the regions are 30 along with other doors like Virgin, House of Fraser, etc.
Ensures achievement of KPI’s of Sales, Stock & Margin
R&D on new brands and innovative products and technologies in the industry
Not Just brand collection, also develop the brand inside Mosafer in the regions, by highlighting the key features of the products and giving them proper exposure by having the right VM implementation in place
Main point of contact for brands for anything related to Brand & Mosafer
Buying Merchandise, placing orders online in line with the buying budget
Regular Monitoring of stock and sales, ensuring healthy stocks at all times with availability of best sellers
Managing Regional Buyers and Brand Co-coordinators directly.
Deciding promotions and discounts on regular intervals to increase traffic and policy to liquidate stocks in line with planned margins
Optimizes the assortment of Category by offering different product ranges at different price points and fabric.
Ensure effective In-season management (Stock balancing, Markdown management, Stock analysis, Stock v/s Sales performance)
Managing a portfolio of International franchisee Brands like Alcott, Charanga, & Balabala in KSA as an Acting Brand Manager, position Retail Merchandise Planner
Ensures achievement of Brand P&L in line with KPI’s of Sales, Stock & Margin
Work closely in conjunction with Marketing team, Operations team, Finance team, IT team to secure we achieve those KPI's to deliver Brand goals and expectations.
Implements the Brand strategy in order to deliver and preserve the brand identity but adapting according to the market need and what is best in the interest of AK
Responsible for brand, delivery of brand standards & guidelines, providing regular qualitative and quantitative feedback on products and market of KSA
Regular Monitoring and Managing of brand budget & margins (Cash & Percentage)
Monitor and plan sales per sqm, sell through rates, store fulfillment and transfer orders
Forecasting based on sales projections and stock in take and measure any threat to the business
Ensure minimal terminal stock not more than 10%, strategy for clearance of terminal stock
Work closely with VM Planning manager to ensure that visual standards in place as per brand guidelines
Working closely with marketing on all brand and promotion related activities. In agreement with the Marketing team, finalizing the marketing plan as per AK & Brand calendar to have the promotions and activities at the most suitable time.
Give direction to training and employee engagement departments to increase workforce productivity and staff retention within your brand
Constant competitor analysis to ensure your brand is positioned and achieving best in market results
Optimizes the assortment of Fashion Garments for each brand in terms of size ratios, top and bottom ratios and colour combinations (mix and match offering) in order to expose the customer to the full selection of assortment of garments in the store.
Plan and execute end of season markdowns in line with terminal stock budget & Planned Margin.
Minimize end of season clearance markdown by taking in-season active pricing corrections and specific volume driving offers.
Ensure effective In-season management across territories (Stock balancing, Markdown management, Stock analysis, Stock v/s Sales performance)
Rigorously measuring the inventory performance, identifying best and worst sellers to action accordingly.
Regular Store visits and conference calls with brand partner to maintain brand relations and discuss issues on agenda.
Handling 2 International Brands DESIGUAL & JENNYFER, managing 40 Stores in KSA as a Senior Merchandiser.
Responsible for KPI’s of Stock, Sales & Margin.
Work closely in conjunction with Marketing team, Operations team, Finance team, IT team to secure we achieve those KPI's to deliver Brand goals and expectations.
Buying the Merchandise for the KSA region for the Brands, based on Market demand & regional trend.
Business Plan & Buy Plan for Seasons keeping various profit parameters to achieve Budgets.
Seasonal Merchandise Launches in line with Brand Partner Guidelines.
Monitor the cost to fill and maintain the IDEAL stock as per the capacity (Fixtures & Turnover)
Optimizes the assortment of Fashion Garments for each brand in terms of size ratios, top and bottom ratios and color combinations (mix and match offering) in order to expose the customer to the full selection.
Regular Monitoring and planning for the next 4 months in terms of stock & sales and see any threat to business.
Compliance with Brand Partners’ Buy Plan Agreement; ensures 100% supply of required brand merchandise.
Define product range allocation per store based on store profile.
Establish pricing policy based on competitors analysis and in line with agreed gross margin, reduced the price uplift form Brand COO in line with competitors.
Takes all merchandising decisions within the Brand Guidelines and delegated authorities.
Plan and execute end of season markdowns in line with terminal stock budget & Planned Margin.
Minimize end of season clearance markdown by taking in-season active pricing corrections and specific volume driving offers.
Ensure effective In-season management across territories (Stock balancing, Markdown management, Stock analysis, Stock v/s Sales performance)
Rigorously measuring the inventory performance, identifying best and worst sellers to action accordingly.
Regularly communicates with Operations team and carry out store visits to ensure new products have been launched on the Floor and displayed as per plan.
In Alignment with the Marketing team and operations team, finalizing the marketing plan as per Al Hokair & Brand calendar to have the promotions and activities at the most suitable time.
Regular market visits & store visits to ensure merchandise exposure, sale implementation, launches, etc.
Monitoring Sell thru and Analyzing Sales Reports on Daily Bases with the action Plan.
Ensure 75% full price sell through for market brands, negotiate on Margins and terminal stock.
Recommends / Selection of Asst. Merchandiser / Allocator Staff.
Last but not the least, Aim at RIGHT PRODUCT at the RIGHT PLACE at the RIGHT PRICE at the RIGHT TIME.
Buying Cosmetics and Perfumes for Beauty Bay and Lifestyle.
Prepare orders, Contacting suppliers, Creating items in the system, prepare LPO, submit GRN and GTM.
Preparing Budgets and Budgeting at Department Levels for the next seasons.
RNA Allocation to territory.
Maintaining Optimum Stock Levels.
Preparing Cost to Fill for new Stores and maintain their Optimum stock levels and Collections in the territory.
Store Allocations.
Consolidation and Stock Transfer.
Replenishments.
Monitoring stock flow.
Monitor and track the sell thru at Item Level.
Pricing & Price Revisions.
Calibrating and analyzing various reports : DSR, Weekly /Monthly, Sell Through, Floor Mix, Ageing, Launch Status etc.
Ensure all items are displayed as per the guidelines and Merchandising is done properly.
Responding to any Territory Related Queries to The Head office (Concept Office).
Undergoing Training in the Store and Accounts Section.
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. Score : 7.38/10 Awarded with Merit cum means scholarship in both the consecutive years of MBA.
Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.) (B.Com (h)) Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. Percentage Scored : 70% Got Second Position in My Class and Department and awarded with scholarship by the Institute.
S.S.C (Intermediate) St. Aloysius Inter College, C.B.S.E. Board. Marks Scored : 373/500 Percentage : 74.6% Distinction in 3 out of 5 Subjects
St. Aloysius Inter College, C.B.S.E. Board. Marks Scored : 362/ 500 Percentage : 72.4%