Senior Buyer & Merchandise Planner
Al Futtaim Group
Total years of experience :14 years, 9 Months
• Work closely with the Brand Manager to develop and execute overall business strategy to maximize sales, margin, inventory and space productivity.
• Develop and create merchandise plans for store display and online platform- Muudha, as per business needs
• Lead the setup of the online presence for the brands across platforms like Noon, Namshi & Ounass
• Supported with various online projects for ecommerce and in planning promotional campaign
• Enhanced product content particularly around descriptions, imagery to ensure extended content increase conversion on the site
• Partner with Stakeholders from Operations, Logistics, Finance and Marketing to drive alignment of strategies
• Partner with the head of inventory planning team to analyze daily and discuss weekly inventory issues
• Analyze overall business performance for each brand, along with managing the buying & seasonal planning for OTB
• Develop strategies for sales and markdown based on analytics.
• Built & maintained strong relationship throughout the brand- including Distribution Centers, Logistics, Marketing, Operations, Planning, Stores and brand partners.
• Updating business highlights to all members of cross-functional teams.
• Support the training team in product training and development courses to ensure brand and company standards are followed.
• Managing the complete buying & merchandising department for Men’s & Womenswear along with a team of 4 merchandisers. Reporting to the Divisional Director.
• Buying effectively, taking into account fashion trends, market conditions and product detail whilst supporting a controlled buy to sell ratio.
• Managing product selection and pricing while leading the buying activities based on psychographics & demographics
• Setup merchandising strategies while being involved in product selection, inventory optimization and merchandise planning to ensure achievement of financial targets
• Closely monitor trade and advised actions to maximize sales and profitability, controlling expenses and maintaining agreed brand retail standards
• Managing OTB in line with the Brand parameters
• Responsible for range building, supply chain management to ensure timely and accurate delivery, strategic pricing to maintain competitive edge in operating markets and formulate promotional programs and in‐season management to achieve targeted sell-through
• Lead and Execute product launch strategy and brand assortment while adapting to market specific planning calendars and marketing strategy to drive Sales
• Conducted regular visits to markets assessing its requirements, monitor competition, market trends, seek customer feedback, identify opportunities and fortify strong merchandising.
• Working very closely with Operations, VM, Planning and Supply Chain functions and Store Manager while reviewing and formulating brand strategies that are commercial viable, providing an exciting shopping experience for the customer
• Managing and supporting the merchandising team on their day to day running of the business
• Reporting to the Brand Director and managing 110 stores across MENA.
• Review Trade performance and recommend actions to maximize sales and profitability of business.
• Involved in business planning, budget management & forecasting of sales
• Plan stock/intake requirements to meet budgeted sales & business profitability.
• Assisted in building, selection and buying process of ranges.
• Ensured balanced merchandise planning with optimum stock levels & product mix to meet customers’ needs
• Identifying best sellers and underperforming lines: recommend in season activities or markdown to achieve targeted sell through.
• Monitor competitors; recommend retail pricing, deciding sale lines.
• Identify and plan promotional events when required. Reporting activity results for the same.
• Liaising with visual, marketing & planning team for various projects
• Responsible for overseeing team workload and efficiency with various projects.
• Monitored & Analyzed current trends and trade performance;
• Assisted in budget planning and building product ranges. Working closely with Designers, developing new ranges to fit into seasonal design briefs
• Forecasted sales and margin, optimizing sales volume and profitability
Responsible for inventory management. Monitoring stock movement, including markdowns, promotions, price changes and terminal stock management.
Utilized market data such as trends and sales rankings to improve product placement and merchandise assortment. Ensuring bestsellers reach their full potential.
• Identified any issues and tracked non-performing styles; accordingly recommended in-season activities to promote sales or markdown activity if necessary;
• Involved in cost price negotiation with suppliers, product selection & placing orders further agreeing on timescales and stock deliveries.
• Liaising with stores, suppliers and operations to ensure optimum stock availability and sales maximization.
• Working closely with visual merchandisers and marketing on various projects to create a good shopping atmosphere in store.
• Gathered information on customers’ feedback and incorporated them accordingly in the next season.
• Identified production, supply difficulties and coordinated with logistics, dealing with any problems or delays as they arise.
• Managed and trained merchandise team on various projects
• Researching new channels & slot availability for advert runs
• Liaising and maintaining relationships with broadcasting networks.
• Responsible for negotiation and buying slots from broadcasting networks
• Client and budget management, including preparing costing for clients and producing spend updates throughout the campaign
• Monitoring & Analysis of sales and effectiveness of campaigns.
• Coach and support team members on various projects
• Marketing Research for Kids Channel: Programming Team
• A study on 360 degree marketing on shows of Kids channels in India. Understanding brand communication and mapping adopted by the International Kids Channels.
• Researched On-air and Off-air Promos in the Indian and International Kids Channel
• Review qualitative and quantitative research, including: needs assessments, concept testing, pricing, ad testing and tracking, customer segmentation, satisfaction and loyalty, brand tracking, competitive assessment and market sizing.
• Define strategic initiatives based on research findings. Provided recommendations on product development.