Description

Overview of Role:

To provide a balanced assortment of Merchandise in order to meet sales budgets, gross profit, and gross profit percentage; to monitor and guide appropriate stock turn levels and increase market share

Key Responsibilities:

* Financial Ratio - Merchandise
- Analyse and evaluate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) results to assess and highlight areas of positive performance. Identify areas where improvement is required, and implement appropriate action accordingly
- Ensure that outcomes of internal and external supplier negotiations have a direct impact on the departmental contribution towards overall profitability
- Communicate effectively with all relevant stakeholders when analysing information by obtaining comprehensive feedback on factors affecting merchandise movement so that appropriate actions can be initiated to promote slow-moving products or cancel the stock
- Analyse and evaluate sales and financial reports to determine popular styles that can be repeated when placing future buying orders or slow-moving styles that need to be cancelled 5. Conduct a thorough analysis and evaluation of past financial results and KPIs. Use findings as a base for the development of future business plans

* Market Intelligence - Merchandise
- Utilise a range of criteria, such as pricing, styling, colours, fabrics, units (volumes), sizes, options per store, stores and locations, to ensure the achievement of a balanced assortment in line with the sales plan
- Evaluate and analyse historical data relating to product performance to identify the assortment to be procured and ensure that future buying plans are appropriately aligned to the department/Group strategy
- Monitor and analyse competitor activities and consumer demands. Initiate and implement appropriate actions to reduce or increase assortments timeously as required
- Monitor seasonal merchandise to ensure that core/seasonal merchandise is co-ordinated to provide visual impact and enhance sales
- Critically evaluate fabric/product testing so that compliance with quality standards and market expectations is verified before approving bulk production

* Supplier Relationship Management and Networking
- Analyse and evaluate information when sourcing and negotiating with suppliers to establish and verify the reliability of suppliers for quality and price prior to buying. Record and store data for research findings and comparative analysis for future buying decisions
- Evaluate supplier rankings and performance so that appropriate actions/decisions are taken on whether to utilise suppliers for the next buying season
- Implement a process to communicate effectively when negotiating with suppliers so that all elements relating to quality, quantity, styling and delivery requirements are clearly understood and carried out in accordance with business requirements
- Negotiate new contracts, project outputs and service agreements in accordance with the changing needs of the business. Monitor stakeholder performance on an ongoing basis and re-negotiate deliverables where required
- Identify key core products and seasonal items and negotiate volumes, price and lead times, verifying supplier commitment and ability to meet volume requirement

* Process Improvement and Efficiency
- Familiarise self with, and utilise, standard analytical and execution processes (e.g. Company's Way of Merchandising)
- Utilise technology and relevant systems to extract historical and current financial and sales information to assist in developing buying plans
- Participate in projects to develop and implement systems for measuring service levels in each area of the business

* People Management
- Encourage, implement and reinforce the Group's Values, Leadership principles and Employer of Choice (EOC) strategies and initiatives
- Ensure an open, motivated and harmonious work environment in line with company's Leadership philosophy
- Manage the performance of self and all direct reports (formally and informally), ensuring that regular feedback is given/received, coaching and mentoring on performance is given/received to enable continuous improvement
- Be actively involved in own Individual Development Plan (IDP), develop such plans for all direct reports and ensure that the agreed development interventions are delivered
- Ensure that talent reviews are conducted on all staff to identify the appropriate talent management strategy and drive implementation

Highlights

Compensation and Benefits:

* Salary package will reflect experience levels and will depend on the candidate
* As a guide, R320 to R600k CTC (depending on experience)
* In addition: bonus, relocation and retention)
* (Proof of current earnings will be required at reference stage)

Qualifications

Essential Criteria:

* 2-5 years' experience
* Required to integrate strong Merchandise theory & practice knowledge with an in-depth understanding of both company operations and supply chain industry best practices.
* May have a professional Merchandise/Commerce qualification or extensive experience (10/12 years) that enables incumbent to recommend new ways in acquiring and ranging standard merchandise ranges or how a Merchandise function is managed.
* Has authoritative impact on how merchandise is acquired or how it is planned effectively throughout the company business processes.
* Focus is 60% Operational and 40% Tactical with a strong focus on Merchandise best practice implementation.
* Has strong awareness & appreciation of Merchandise best practices & is able to adopt & implement such practices within the company Chain in a manner that significantly impacts on competitiveness & profitability.
* Be part of the organisation's core area (middle/senior management) and a major change agent.
* Profit responsible within the allocated area.

Key Skills:

* Analytical thinking
* Attention to detail
* Brand knowledge
* Coaching and developing others
* Communication and influence
* Decision making
* Negotiation skills
* Performance focus
* Planning and organising
* Process orientation

Job Types

• International Trade

Salary/Pay

As a guide, R320 to R600k CTC (depending on experience)

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

South African Participants.

Application Process Involves

• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 month

First Resort Global Recruitment's Mission Statement

We delivers tailor made recruitment solutions to selected companies in the Middle East. We work with leading clients across all industries to provide Management level staff for their Middle East locations.

Year Founded

2005