RAHUL SONI

Openkart is an online hypermarket with a wide range of online shopping products in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman & Bahrain.

Role & Responsibilities
Optimize sales for a category. Analyze data or insights to determine industry and consumer trends.
Devise long-term development strategies for product categories.Develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products.
Foster trust relationships with vendors to achieve better pricing and quality of services.Place appropriate orders to ensure product availability that meets consumer demands.
Determine the positioning of a product category to maximize visibility. Collaborate with buyers and merchandisers to expand product categories. Make forecasts for product demand to ensure the sustainability of inventory.
Assume responsibility for budget development and revenue for the category.Work closely with the new site development team in related categories.
Support the overall digital merchandising approach and tactics associated with increasing online/mobile conversion and overall shopping experience.
Partner with Operations, Merchandising and Planning Departments to support a dynamic online assortment and forecast daily/weekly/monthly sales, sell thru and margins.
Utilize multiple data sources and conduct analyses of the customer journey to make recommendations to improve engagement and conversion. Management of websites to maximize the conversion rate of visitors to buyers.
Create and manage website content calendars for bi-weekly homepage and category banner updates.
Leverage web analytics to understand performance of and customer interaction with site content, such as categories, featured placements (including promotions/sales) and general online shopping experiences to identify business opportunities and risks.
Created a seasonal calendar/planner for the buyers which resulted in a year on year growth of 20%.
Created a vendor pursue list for buyers to on-board which resulted in a new vendor acquisition which was 70% higher than before.
Maintenance of vendor relationships where the sales were not optimal. Set up meetings with key vendors to understand how I could assist in growing sales. This resulted in some vendors seeing a 60% uplift in sales.

Responsible for entire category procurement and development of department. Actively involved in
day-to-day product line, working with suppliers and Marketing on mutual strategies to drive sales.

- Development of vendor base to support merchandise strategy.
- Negotiation with vendor/supplier, terms of sale, cost, payment terms & all other aspects of purchase.
- Establish and ensure attainment of financial goals for sales, inventory & income tied to the merchandise strategy.
- Coordinate buying opportunities/strategies along with PriceSmart Buying Team & current vendor/supplier sources to leverage buying power.
-Monitor competition to ensure best merchandise offerings and pricing.
- Development of seasonal merchandise programs.
- Coordinate with Logistics Team method of product delivery.
- Coordinate with IT Team item set-up, maintenance & transactions.

-A profit driven and dynamic role, within UAE’s largest off price eCommerce, with a key responsibility for continuing to promote consistent growth within Perfumes and Cosmetics online..
-A high, profile position, responsible for the sourcing, negotiating and securing of the correct range of products and brands for the category which adheres to the merchandise philosophy of quality, price fashion and brand, in a timely and efficient manner in order to maximise profit contribution to the company.
-Responsible for analysing weekly reports and ladder plans, identifying and maximising key opportunities both departmentally, and trend led allowing the development and growth of sales, and margin.
-A passionate and effective communicator demonstrated through successful negotiation processes and the delivery of key presentations to senior management, instrumental in the continual success of the category and business.

Maintaining relation with suppliers regarding the existing range of products and also follow up for updates on the latest new products in line with the market trends
• Monitoring stock movements and generate purchase orders to maintain optimum level of stocks as per the business requirement
• Initiating market survey to ensure that we are competitive in the market with regard to pricing and product range
• Interacting with suppliers for feedback regarding the progress on various product lines and to ensure that we have adequate stocks on the product range
• Monitoring and reviewing each product price and range to obtain credit note and volume rebates from suppliers
• Procurement /Ranging/ Pricing Policy / Inventory management of merchandise categories and / or vendor/ Brands for Electronics/IT Retailer to achieve the goals and budgets of the company.
• Liaise with vendors and brand principals for obtaining latest updates on the existing range of Products.
• Constantly follow-up with suppliers to be updated on the latest products
• Arrange for meeting with suppliers to discuss about new potential products.
• Coordinate return of slow moving stocks.
• Monthly analysis of aged inventory, Preparation of suggested markdowns for approval.
• To identify alternative suppliers for existing product lines and also for new products.
• Ensure that Product profitability is in line with Budget and strategic directions.
• As per procedure, ensure that minimum stock level is maintained at all times.
• Follow-up credit notes and rebates
• Ensure all ranged articles are in stock in applicable stores.

• Analyzed merchandise performance within Department by monitoring statistical objectives, adapting
inventory as needed, as increase in sales volume.
• Merchandise analysis resulted in the time and cost efficiencies and savings in 13 Beauty Bay stores across
Middle East. Assisted to the Senior Buyer.
• Evaluated profitability for in-season sales, financial and inventory performance and suggested adjustments
as needed.
• Created seasonal financial plans to guarantee optimal inventory investment and reduce markdowns to
ultimately maximize profitability.
Buffer Buying & Forecasting
• Reviewed historical data and joined forces with the buying team ensuring the right collections were placed
in stores at the optimal time. (Christmas, Ramadan, New Year).
• Forecasting consumer buying patterns based on sales trends and economic conditions monitoring.
Operational Activities
• Operated as team leader responsible for communicating financial strategies to vendors and department
heads, resulting in increased cohesiveness, improved efficiency and enhanced effectiveness.
• Trained and supervised and developed staff members consisting of merchandise assistants and interns to
ensure optimal performance and compliance with company goals and objectives.
• Observed and managed stock levels within the Department and contributed to preparation and execution of
financial plans.
• Formulated selling strategies for aging stocks.
• Successful opening of 15 stores within 2 years time.
Special Mentions
• I was specially assigned to develop strategies and increase the business of cosmetics & fragrance in
another operational country, i.e. Jordan.
• Dealt with more than 102 international brands of cosmetics and fragrance in 5 stores.