Asst Manager/Manager Retail Buying & Merchandising

As an Assistant Manager/Manager in Retail Merchandising, you will play a pivotal role in driving revenue, maximizing gross margin, and ensuring sell-through in both Retail and Key Accounts (KA) channels. Your responsibilities will include: - Ensuring adherence to store-wise planograms and merchandise availability on a day-to-day basis. - Directing the planning and allocation team to optimize merchandise assortment for each store. - Collaborating with the Visual Merchandising (VM) team to showcase key stories and products for enhanced sell-through. - Tracking and providing feedback to the Design and Sourcing teams based on product performance and market insights. - Maintaining regular communication with Store Managers and Regional Managers to stay updated on front-end requirements. In terms of Seasonal Planning, you will be expected to: - Conduct research and provide strategic directions to the Design/Product team regarding channel-specific and store-specific merchandise requirements. - Plan the seasonal buy considering factors such as store demographics, category preferences, price points, and new product introductions. - Develop annual budgets encompassing revenue projections, unit sales, margins, and inventory levels for each store, ensuring alignment with financial objectives. Additionally, you will: - Serve as a conduit for consumer and competitor insights, conducting market surveys, engaging with consumers, and visiting their homes to deepen brand understanding. - Collaborate with the VM team to set up new stores, ensuring alignment with brand standards and merchandising guidelines. Qualifications and Skills required for this role: - Graduation from NIFT or similar institutions with a focus on fashion merchandising or related field. - 5-7 years of buying experience within a national fashion or accessory brand, demonstrating proficiency in strategic merchandising and assortment planning. - Proficiency in numerical analysis and advanced Excel skills to analyze sales data, forecast trends, and manage budgets effectively. - Previous experience in front-end retail operations is desirable, providing insights into consumer behavior and preferences. This role requires skills in merchandising, budgets, seasonal planning, and retail operations.,