Buying & Merchandising Manager
Al Yasra Fashion
Total years of experience :12 years, 10 Months
Formulated annual OTB - $36M, ensuring it reflects brand positioning with regular analysis of brand plan by working
closely with the Business Manager vis-à-vis the sales plan of $70M, across 100+ stores.
• Deducing brand performance, distribution strategy and profit estimates in the local market prior to investment by introducing a six-month experimental business plan for newly launched brands in the global market some of the brands are Lagado, Von Vogel, Welder & Jacques Farel
• Leading overall product management life cycle from planning, product positioning and inventory resources to achieve turnaround growth in brand market share.
• Responsible for delivering brand margins through merchandise planning process and achieving all standards agreed with host
• Conceptualizing, planning and organizing market development and promotion activities by developing new strategies, executing an effective in-store merchandising philosophy to increase sales.
• Travelling domestically as well as internationally in order to maintain relationship with principals, to evaluate and improve opportunities in assortment and product.
• Leading, managing and mentoring a team of 7 involving a Senior Merchandiser, 3 Merchandisers and 3 Assistant Merchandisers to drive buying and merchandising activities for four major fashion watch houses & Fossil Franchisee.
• Worked closely with Business partners to develop store feasibility studies (ROIC - Store contribution and other KPI’s)and suggest changes that will affect the ability to pay back in specified years
• Support, analyze and assist in the preparation and review of the divisions annual financial budge
Led the merchandizing operations for over 10 brands with a turnover of $ 25M and successful in conceptualizing and launching the in-house brand of on-time, showcasing approximately 40% YoY growth in 2014
• Directed a team of 4 and successfully enhanced category business by on boarding newer brands to the portfolio, including Roberto Cavalli, Maserati, Casio, Swarovski, and Scuderia Ferrari.
• Developed brand plans and promotional strategies based on competitive analysis, building high performing teams and pricing plans with higher cash margins to penetrate effective audience engagement.
• Managed liquidation segment of the business valued worth $ 3.5M by recommending prices and taking actions to clear the ageing inventory.
• Created strong reputation among the host brand and consistently delivered standards as well as values without losing the brand essence, ensuring that all decisions made are profitable to Alyasra.
• Identified and addressed opportunities within the business and the market to maximize sales and margin opportunities by managing product assortment, product specifications in assigned areas, and pricing opportunities resulting in higher cash margins.
• Achieved specific margin objectives and recommended appropriate markdown by suggesting, setting and approving product pricing strategies.
• Mentored the performance of the product lines through sales, promotion cost, markdowns, inventory, product quality, and selling costs by setting the Promotional Calendar for the Financial Year along with Marketing team.
Handled buying and merchandising of 20+ fashion watch brands for 50 stores across 3 markets, including Kuwait, Iraq and Dubai.
• Independently managed the outlet stores along with the pricing and reduction of liquidation items of all 45+ brands valued worth $ 2.1M.
• Formulated annual business plan (OTB), ensuring it reflects brand positioning with regular analysis of brand plan by working closely with the Head of Buying and Merchandising.
• Delivered the guaranteed high profitability and maximum stock turnover consistently while registering YoY growth targets in line with the set business plans.
• Set up appropriate stock prices within the brand and acted as the point of contact for brand matters for entire region.
• Conducted market analysis to identify best-selling styles and core products of the brands in the Middle East.
• Worked closely with marketing division on planning of promotional activities in the region, ascertain appropriate delivery of phasing, allocation and replenishment of the promotional styles.
• Forecasted order quantities based on the existing sales information ensuring that a minimum 16 weeks cover was maintained for best sellers
Bachelor of Commerce