AGM- Buying, Planning AND Merchandising

Job Description

Role & responsibilities Strategic Planning: Develop and execute the buying and merchandising strategy aligned with overall business goals. Lead seasonal and annual product range planning in line with market trends and customer insights. Set departmental objectives, KPIs, and targets. Buying and Merchandising Oversee merchandise planning for all categories - Men's, Women's, and Kids wear. Analyze historical sales data and trends to forecast future demand. Create and manage Open to Buy (OTB) budgets across categories and brands. Ensure optimal stock allocation and replenishment planning at store and warehouse level. Monitor KPIs: sell-through %, stock turns, margins, ageing, markdowns. Coordination & Execution: Coordinate with Design, Buying, Retail Ops, and Supply Chain teams for seamless product lifecycle execution. Ensure timely intake and launch of merchandise across channels (EBO, MBO, online). Drive liquidation of slow-moving stock across channels using pricing, discounting, and bundling strategies. Collaborate with the sales and store teams to push old stock through promotions and incentives. Ensure optimal stock mix (depth vs width) and avoid overbuying at SKU level. Liaison with Finance dept on inventory valuation and write-offs when needed. Market and Trend Analysis: Keep update about industry trends, competitor product strategies, pricing, and assortments and market shifts. Use insights to inform product strategy and positioning. Systems & Processes: Leverage ERP/MIS systems for data-driven planning and execution. Recommend and implement improvements in planning and inventory management tools. Product Knowledge & Sales Team Training Collaborate with the marketing and retail operations teams to ensure the sales staff are well-informed on product features, benefits, and brand stories. Organize regular product training sessions, including seasonal briefings and detailed product walkthroughs. Track the effectiveness of training in terms of sell-through and product understanding at store level.