Assistant Manager Merchandising Trading LFR

YOUR MISSION

Position Summary:

• Manage trading and allocation for PUMA counters across key Large Format Retail (LFR) accounts including Centro Lifestyle Shoppers Stop Pantaloons and Fashion Factory.
• Lead a team of two traders (merchandisers) overseeing day-to-day operations and performance.
• Collaborate closely with sales buying and operations teams maintaining a strong connection with the product line and customer trends to develop effective allocation strategies.

Key Objective:

In-Season Trading & Analysis:

• Responsible for ensuring the availability of the right stock at the right place and time thereby enabling sales achievement.
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising (VM) Retail Operations and Sales teams to ensure seasonal rollouts are aligned and implemented as per plan.
• Ensure timely dispatch of incoming new season stock to respective stores as per the launch plan.
• Execute accurate replenishment and maintain healthy stock levels at the SKU level to avoid lost sales opportunities.
• Manage RTV (Return to Vendor) to the warehouse and facilitate stock consolidation between stores to reduce slow-moving merchandise and improve store assortment.
• Work closely with the buying team to ensure buys are placed in the right product types attributes based on forecasted requirements store grading & banding and strategic inputs.

Assortment Planning & Performance Monitoring:

• Prepare seasonal assortment plans ensuring the right mix at Division Category MRP band and product type level
• Monitor style performance through regular tracking of Rate of Sale (ROS) and Sell-Through.
• Prepare article-level discount lists during End of Season Sale (EOSS) to achieve planned net sales targets within the budgeted markdown percentage while also meeting Gross Profit % targets.
• Drive weekly and monthly reporting and analysis; present insights during sales reviews and initiate necessary actions to achieve targets.
• Constantly aim to improve the efficiency of replenishment and allocation processes by refining the allocation inputs to maintain optimal SKU-level inventory.
• Collaborate closely with the retail sales team to identify operational gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor daily business performance and profitability through key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Maintain optimal stock cover across stores.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Net Sales
• Gross Profit (GP) and GP%
• Sell Thru %
• Markdown (Discount%)
• Stock Cover

Organizational Relationships:

• Internal: Operations Sales Buying Planning and Warehouse
• External: LFR partners

YOUR TALENT

Eligibility Criteria And Functional Competencies Required:

• MBA / MFM / from a reputed institute with 23 years of relevant experience in retail merchandising trading or planning.
• Strong proficiency in Advanced Microsoft Excel is a must.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder management
• Self-motivated and driven; capable of working independently with minimal or no supervision.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work based on business needs.
• Analytical and inquisitive mindset with a keen eye for detail.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies/tools as required by the business.
• Interest in sports or active participation in any sport will be an added advantage.