Associate Manager, Merchandise & Planning (Spirits, Wine, Tobacco)

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Position Title: Associate Manager, Merchandise and Planning – Spirits, Wine, Tobacco

Reports To: Manager, Merchandising and Planning – Spirits, Wine, Tobacco

Employment Status:Regular

Employee Subgroup:Exempt

Purpose and Objective of this position:

The candidate will work in partnership with the global Spirits/Wine/Tobacco (SWT) merchant and store operations teams to deliver the strongest product assortment and store execution. The candidate is expected to have category product knowledge and plan effective promotional and marketing campaigns for their locations. The candidate is also responsible for maximizing Sales and Gross Margin, conversion of aged inventory, sales forecasting, stock ordering, price management and support store renovation projects. Candidate will be building vendor relationships, driving local assortment strategies, and communicating both within the division/group and the Global Merchandising team.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Category Management and Financials

Delivers category sales, gross margin, and inventory turnover performance to budget

Monitors overall inventory levels to plan and forecast

Support global financial objectives and targets for the team that focus on category, brand growth and profitability

Identifies and evaluates sales and gross margin opportunities

Manage conversions and Aged Inventory/and delisted SKUs

Rationalization of Store Profiles and advise assortment that best delivers category target.

Identify and execute local event opportunities that support localization strategy

Communicate localization strategy and SWT global/location strategies to the stores

Support and monitor inventory integrity and communicate where necessary

Work closely with global Replenishment & Allocation team (R&A) on replenishment levels to the right store

Advise floor space and productivity through planogram

Support global merchandising team on Promotional calendar and execution

Provide direction to stores on visual presentation and merchandise presentation standards

Organize and provide product knowledge training

Drives decision-making and problem solving on at the merchandise issues at the division and location level

Own localized category strategy and align with the Global Merchandising and local Store teams

Delivers competitive strategy, including assortments, promotions, pricing, seasonal conversion, etc.

Conducts regular visits to domestic market to understand competition, activities, brand introductions, maintaining a “pulse” on the industry trends

Works closely with the team partners specifically, Store, VM, Marketing to ensure alignment with the merchandise strategy and quality execution

Works closely with the vendor to ensure alignment with the merchandise strategy and execution support

Establishes and maintains assortment plan pipeline by determining order quantities and placing orders

Determines markdown strategy and ensure communication/execution with divisions on local assortment

Manage relationships and communication with local brands

Negotiate local promotional support

Be the face of the merchandising team in the US with global vendors when they visit stores or at strategy meetings

People Development

Manage SAVF related issues and communication with HR, store operations and vendor

Co-ordinate DFS in-house training

Standard Division Initiatives

Loyal T Program & support CSM team

Facilitate marketing in home country (pre-departure, editorial, etc.)

Facilitate Major Division Events – i.e. Chinese New Year/Oshogatsu/Golden Week/OBON/Festivals
Competencies Required:

Effective communication both oral and written.

Strong ability to multitask and remain agile

Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet established deadlines.

Strong multidimensional leadership ability. Able to effectively operate in a culturally diverse environment with astuteness and sensitivity.

Must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work well with personnel at various levels.

Must have high degree of integrity and confidentiality with a keen sense of business/financial acumen.

Accuracy and attention to detail

Able to make sound decisions with relevant facts at hand. Does not shy away from conflict.

Able to work flexible hours to meet the seasonality needs of the business

Good problem-solving skills.

Position Requirements:

Minimum of 5 years in buying, merchandising or planning function with experience at buyer/planner-level or
Equivalent preferred.

University Bachelor’s Degree

Able to travel up to 12 weeks per year

Financial and analytical merchandising with a background in buying and/or planning

Leadership experience developing, managing, and influencing people

Negotiation experience required

Luxury market experience preferred

International business experience preferred

International mobility, for career advancement opportunities, to Hong Kong and other major Asia Pacific cities

Job Title:
Associate Manager, Merchandise & Planning (Spirits, Wine, Tobacco)

Company:
DFS Group Limited

Employment Type:
Full Time

Compensation/Salary:
Not Specified

Industry Sectors:
Other

Date Posted:
6/29/2021

Location: 1580 Francisco Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90501

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