Lead Buyer
Qatar Duty Free
Total years of experience :14 years, 8 Months
● Lead buyer within the fashion department in Qatar duty free, focused on delivering premium and luxury range of ready to wear and accessories within the retail travel sector
● Responsible for management iconic brands such as Hugo Boss, Bally, Diesel, Zegna and many more
● Main role included, OTB forecasting and management of seasonal and NOS inventory, suppler negotiations and collaboration with promotions and team projects.
● Managing all aspects of procurement, logistics, training
& marketing relating to sporting equipment &
Accessories
● Initiation of business planning, budgeting and strategic
development of each category within the business
through brand acquisitions and effective sourcing to
deliver an extensive range for our target audience.
● Negotiation and effective Supplier Management to
optimize the best relationship and productivity among
our stakeholders
● Delivering solutions to operational challenges relating
to all aspects of the business
● Effectively managing a team to deliver and maintain
focus to achieving short & long term KPI's
Key Responsibilities:
● Full management of implementing company procurement strategies, direction and tactics working toward the achievement of corporate objectives; comparing actual results to goals and taking appropriate action to correct when necessary
● Managing relationships with key stakeholders including existing suppliers
● Develop competencies and processes required to create an effective and efficient company
● Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual sales forecasts
● Establish effective relationships and collaborations with other departments (Marketing, Logistics, Operations, etc.) to address key business issues and opportunities
● Maintain competitive knowledge to create and adjust strategies
● Providing regular and structured reports on performance to the senior managers
● Analysing market trends and evaluating competitor activities
● Regularly reviewing performance indicators, such as sales and managing plans for stock levels
● Proactively reacting to changes in demand and logistics
● Implement effective pricing strategy that is commercially viable and competitive within a challanging market
Key Responsibilities:
● Successfully led four online and physical stores within six months
● Developed commercial relationships with key customers and partner; secured, developed and retained key brand relations; negotiated reseller agreements
● Successfully developed a results oriented brand portfolio; generated 150m+ AED ($30m+) sales on an annual basis
● Reported and submitted sales figures and budgets to senior management
● Responsible for communicating with target audiences and managing customer relationships to enhance awareness of the company
● Managed commercial activity within the business, implemented strategic delivery, sales process and company functions
● Constantly looked out for new sales and business opportunities in targeted markets
● Analysed market trends and evaluated competitor activities, especially new products and services
● Kept all senior managers and relevant parties appraised of performance
Key Responsibilities:
• Developed and managed a high performing team, continuously raised the bar and managed performance using best performance tools
• Full responsibility of all P&L and budgets
• Promoted an environment of excellent customer service to create an unforgettable customer experience
• Created new business opportunities through marketing events and tailored the product and space participation to the local demographics
• Proactively planned future store activity on a medium and long term basis to adapt to the changing market conditions ensuring long term commercial success
• Enhanced productivity and profitability by assigning employees roles that match and compliment their skills
• Successfully delivered all individual and store KPI’s and other company objectives
• Developed and maintained excellent working relationships with superiors, peers, buyer’s merchandisers and other head office personnel
• Delivered high commercial and operational standards, maintaining them throughout the store
• Critically analysed and conformed to the processes and procedures to improve the store's profit performance
I worked for the company’s flagship branch in central London and attained a managerial role in my last 2 years of employment. During my 4 years at the company, my roles included managing my sales team in the branch as well as keeping to strict deadlines and sales targets. Woolworths had been going through many changes at the time, and wanted to adopt a more aggressive corporate strategy to remain competitive. My main responsibilities were:
• Analysing market trends
• Forecasting potential sales for new product releases and ensuring day to day targets are met.
• Training and development of staff to demonstrate due diligence and good customer service.
• Weekly sales meetings and news, including updating colleagues on forthcoming objectives, past achievements and keeping focus within the team ethic.
• Managing the branch budget, allocating resources to needed areas.
he Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) is globally renowned for delivering training and education programmes within all sectors. It is widely accepted that CIPS standards are innovative, creative and reflect ‘best practice’ within the procurement profession. Full members of the Institute (achieved through education and relevant experience) are recognised internationally for their professional accomplishment. Full membership confers the post nominals MCIPS and represents an expression of professionalism associated with achieving the highest recognised global standard of excellence in procurement.