Assistant Merchandiser

Role and Responsibilities

Merchandiser/Sr. Merchandiser is responsible for planning & developing merchandising strategies & analyzing sales figures, customer reactions and market trends to anticipate product needs & collaborating with buyers, suppliers, distributors to negotiate prices, quantities and time-scales. Key deliverables for the position are as following:

• To work with the buyer - to develop departmental financial plans which take into account market risks, opportunities and fashion trends to achieve departmental net margin plan
• To accurately phase sales, stock, margin, markdown and intake plans and projections for the brand by week, taking into account historical performance future trends, prevailing market trends and new store openings, and to structure the buy to deliver the required level of profitability at minimum risk
• Ensuring that availability is maintained throughout the product's life and that re-buys and cancellations are actioned in a timely manner
• Maintaining a balanced mix of product at all times, and to effectively execute the agreed exit policy
• To determine the footage requirement for the department for each grade of stores so that the optimum range can displayed while delivering the planned returns per square foot
• To plan each option to reflect its true potential sales, taking into account historical performance and future trends, and to structure the buy to deliver the required level of profitability at minimum risk
• To plan the width and depth of the assortment so that the planned sales in each store can be achieved
• To phase the sales and stock of each option in line with the optimum weekly trend and to develop agreed production programmes with the supply base that will ensure that the planned intake can be achieved
• Together with the Assistant Merchandiser/Buyer to manage each option so that maximum profitability can be achieved in respect of its actual performance, ensuring that availability is maintained throughout its life and that re-buys and cancellations are actioned in a timely manner
• Regularly track Competition’s activities and consumer’s needs and buying pattern
• To conduct the annual review of supplier performance with QA and buying
• To liaison with vendor base and marketing for promotional activities
• Should be updated with trends in fashion and general retailing
• Responsible for markdown management
• To pursue and recover all monies due from the supply base as a result of performance penalties or markdown and promotional contributions
• To ensure that the skills of all direct reports are fully developed through a balance of training and coaching, and to manage individual performance so that full potential can be realized

Top KPI’s (Ideally Measurable) for this role are

Top line achievement

Maintain adequate season launch merchnadise

Offer Creation

Purchase order Management

Review Report

Qualifications and Education Requirements

Graduate/Diploma in design/apparel merchandising, MBA-Marketing, NIFT (GMT/FD/Textile D&D), Pearl academy (IFTP). MBA- Marketing/ Operations/ Finance; NIFT

Preferred competencies

Ability to work cross functional and adapt to SSL culture and values.

Ability to understand and adapt to business sales and profitability nuances in current market.

Ability to understand and adapt to existing and new trends in the market.

Learn and exhibit great merchandising knowledge, skills and best practices to improve inventory turn.

Ability to recruit, retain and develop team Developer.

Strong analytical & commercial Orientation.

Preferred Industry

Beauty / Garment/ Retail / Export Houses/FMCG