IMPACT & SCOPE:
This role is responsible for driving the profit of the designated product category, will deliver against revenue, inventory turns, growth & earnings and GMROI that meets or exceeds financial targets.
GUIDANCE:
This role will be accountable for working with the Merchandiser/Senior Merchandiser or Merchandising Manager and Buying Team to translate the overall Business Unit strategy for the designated product categories – taking into account brand aesthetic, design, product innovation, competitive analysis, customer insights, historical analysis, operational excellence and financial goals. Taking overall direction from the Merchandising Director or Merchandising Manager. Liaising with key business partners in Allocation, Buying, Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Tech Services and Product Development as appropriate.
PROBLEM SOLVING, ANALYSIS & DECISION MAKING:
Must be action orientated. Can analyse, interpret and respond to customer, merchandise, trend and financial information to drive profitable performance. Can identify potential issues and make recommendations.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• Develop accurate financial, sales, inventory and line plans for the department, recommending action to the merchandiser, ensuring alignment with overall sub brand product and marketing strategy
• Partner with Merchandiser, Merchandising Manager/Director and Buying team to develop and communicate a comprehensive pre-season Merchandising strategy that identifies opportunities and risks for the department
• In partnership with the Buyer, develop and implement balanced assortment plans that fit the available space and delivers against sales and profit targets. Manage the bottom up/top down reconciliation of departmental plans. Present and gain approval during the investment review process.
• Identifying and understanding customer behaviour trends, the competition and brand specific fashion trends for business partners.
• In partnership with Buying team deliver a balanced price architecture to ensure competitive price positioning.
• Analyse actual financial performance versus plan and recommend tactical action as required
• Manage stock profitably optimising stock levels and phasing intake to the agreed plan
• Manage the financial success of the department by meeting sales, comp, gross margin and gross margin return on investment and inventory turn goals. Taking the necessary steps to optimise sales and margin
• Lead the Open to Buy Process for the department/categories and present accurate Monthly Forecasts to Merchandiser, Merchandising Manager/Director
• Ensure promotional and clearance activity is phased in line with the defined markdown strategy to achieve profit potential and terminal stock objective
• Identify and recommend opportunities to improve sales performance
• Recap and analyse actual sales results to plan and forecast in-season sales and inventories on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis
• Reforecast sales and manage inventory for all basic styles as required to support department financial goals
• Partner with Allocation, providing information on range plan line details, deliveries, promotional and markdown activities to ensure optimum placement of stock in stores and maximize on shelf availability
• Communicate financial results, forecasts and action plans to Merchandising Director or Merchandising Manager and cross-functional team on a weekly basis
• Manage flow of goods into business from suppliers to stores
• Develop pre-season assortment plans and order quantities to required deadlines
Technical Knowledge:
• Have comprehensive functional knowledge of the merchandising process
• Understands and has experience with buying, merchandising/planning and design and leverages this to optimise product and margin
• Strong business analysis and strategic/innovative thinking skills
• Developing competent interpersonal and presentation skills in key milestone meetings
• Able to provide accurate, concise and relevant information for target audience with guidance
Minimum Experience:
Requires first hand merchandising/planning experience in a Head Office environment & strong merchandising/planning knowledge in relevant sector
Degree level education desirable
BEHAVIORS REQUIRED:
LEADERSHIP & EMPLOYEES
Vision & Change – The business vision and direction were understood and individual goals were aligned. It is clear how the individual’s work helped achieve the department, function and business strategy. Change initiatives were understood and supported.
People & Culture – Collaborates effectively and contributes to a high performing team. Values diversity and works effectively with team members. Resolves conflict effectively. Influences others. Individual sought out feedback and coaching and was actively engaged in the business and department’s success. Exemplified Gap Inc.’s values and behaviors.
Creative Talent – Demonstrated a willingness to explore new ideas within acceptable boundaries. Contributed to a department work environment that enabled creative people to flourish.
Partnerships and Relationships - Networks built over time to support results achievement through cross-functional and team collaboration. Developed working relationships with peers and across businesses.
Personal Development – Pursued and sought out opportunities for growth and development. Focused on developing functional expertise.
CUSTOMER & MARKET
Customer - Individual goals and measures created using consumer insight. Deliverables and work products fulfilled targeted customer needs.
Product - Innovative deliverable and work products planned and executed. Customer satisfaction and loyalty increased.
Brand Building & Management - The brand promise was supported by the individual’s deliverables and work products. Relevant market and customer insights shared quickly and effectively to inform decision-making.
MANAGING & OPERATING
Operating Plan – Annual department operating plan executed in support of the function and organization plan. Program or project plans were documented and milestones were measured, tracked and achieved. Predictable project results delivered by holding self-accountable to achieve agreed upon measures.
Priorities & Resources – Provide information or business case to assist in prioritization and resource allocation. Maintain focus on business priorities. Clear understanding of roles and requirements; any role confusion resolved quickly. Individual collaborated across departments and businesses appropriately to ensure leverage and avoid duplication of efforts.
Business Process, Systems & Productivity - Identify and proactively work to reduce areas of complexity and eliminate redundancies. Productivity gains delivered.
Quality - On time results delivered. Customer, technical, and operational standards for quality achieved or exceeded.
BUSINESS & FINANCIAL
Strategy – Individual goals and objectives designed and implemented in support of the department’s and organization’s plan.
Professional Area – Demonstrated technical / functional skills and knowledge to reach high levels of performance in area of expertise.
Financial - Consistent deliverable and work product results delivered within program or project budget. Identify and proactively work towards new cost saving or revenue opportunities.
Competition – Individual deliverables and work product were best in class and contributed to beating the competition each year.
BEHAVIOURS REQUIRED
Decision Quality
• Makes good decisions based upon a mixture of analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment. Most of solutions and suggestions turn out to be correct and accurate when judged over time. Sought out by others for advice and solutions.
Problem Solving
• Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions. Probes all fruitful sources for answers. Can see hidden problems. Is excellent at honest analysis.
Drive for Results
• Very bottom line orientated, steadfastly pushes self and others for results. Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully. Is constantly and consistently one of the top performers.
Functional/Technical Skills
• Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment
Action Orientated
o Enjoys hard work. Is action orientated and full energy for the things seen as challenges. Not fearful of acting with minimum of planning.
Dealing with Ambiguity
• Can effectively cope with change. Can decide and act without having the total picture. Can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty
Customer Focus
• Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers. Gets first hand customer information and uses if for improvements in product and service. Acts with customers in mind. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Learning on the Fly
• Learns quickly when faced with new problems. Open to change. Analyses both success and failures for clue to improvement. Enjoys the challenges of unfamiliar tasks. Quickly grasps the essence and the underlying structure of anything.
Planning
• Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects. Sets objectives and goals. Measures performance against goals. Evaluates results. Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks.
Process Management
• Good at figuring the processes necessary to get things done. Knows how to organise people and activities. Know what to measure and how to measure it. Can simplify complex process. Gets more out of fewer resources.
Organising
• Can manage resource to get things done. Can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal. Uses resources effectively and efficiently.
Time Management
• Uses time effectively and efficiently. Values time. Concentrates efforts on the more important priorities. Gets more done in less time than others.
Perseverance
• Looks toward the broadest possible view of an issue/challenge. Can think globally. Can discuss multiple aspects and impacts of issues and project them into the future.
Informing
• Provides the information people need to know to do their jobs and to feel good about being a member of the team and organisation. Provides individuals with information so they can make accurate decisions. Is timely with information.
Listening
• Practices attentive and active listening. Has the patience to hear people out. Can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he/she disagrees.
Motivating Others
• Creates a climate in which people what to do their best. Can motivate many kinds of direct reports and team or project members. Empower others. Pushes tasks and decisions down.
Creativity
• Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas. Easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions.
Peer Relationships
• Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all. Can solve problems with peers with a minimum of noise. Is seen as a team player and is cooperative. Easily gains trust and support of peers. Encourage collaboration.
Interpersonal Savvy
• Relates well to all kinds of people. Builds appropriate rapport. Builds constructive and effective relationships. Uses diplomacy and tact. Can diffuse even high-tension situations.
Integrity & Trust
• Is widely trusted. Is seen as a direct, truthful individual. Keeps confidences. Admits mistakes.