Head, Category Management (Fashion Retail) at TalentSquare

Job Description

• As Head, Category management, you will define and deliver offer sourcing and management strategy for all categories across customer segments and geographies to enable ambitious revenue growth targets.
• You would ensure to provide product growth strategies for the different categories.

Responsibilities

• Merchandising and Inter-Stores Movement Consolidation
• Actively lead, mentor, and develop the Category Managers to take on initiatives, execute, and actively impact revenue
• Supervise, manage, and direct category managers, analysts, and support personnel for designated categories
• Lead the Categories in achieving the sales objectives for the business as set in the current business year.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive assortment strategy that’s optimized for company objectives and growth opportunities identified at category level
• Collaborate with Brands & Marketing in Planning sales campaign for every cycle and events such as End of Year sales, Summer Sales, etc.
• Set up, manage, and enhance Merchandise Pricing Systems
• Ensure achievement of agreed return on investment (ROI) for each Category.
• Providing direction for the team through leadership, objective setting, motivation, clear communication and people management.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across product, account management, marketplace integrity, marketing, and growth to accelerate execution
• Create and implement new initiatives for all categories to increase sales and margins
• Responsible for merchandise allocation, distribution and replenishment to stores
• Manages day-to-day operations leads and supply chain management for categories through Strategic Procurement
• Responsible for Merchandise/Product Life Cycle Planning and Execution. This would be from ideation till the product is discontinued
• Attend industry events to acquire up-to-date market and product information and sales trends to ensure appropriate sales, marketing and procurement strategy.
• Evaluate the marketplace and analyze industry trends and competitive landscape; evaluate opportunities and constructed products applicable to market needs.
• Responsible for Store Visitation Merchandise Assessment Audit
• Regular visit to stores to keep abreast of merchandise gaps.

Buying Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership of the Buying Team
• Manage supply chain buying unit relationship with other subunits
• Execution of Merchandising Buying and range plans
• Execution of Merchandising Supplier Sourcing plans
• Merchandising Buying Cost Management.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent in business or any related discipline is the minimum degree acceptable
• Certification in supply chain and merchandising is compulsory
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in a similar role
• Strong knowledge in managing wide product range using detail line reports
• Strong Knowledge in kids clothing trends
• Excellent Knowledge in retail sales data analysis
• Excellent Merchandising analysis skill
• Strong Visual Merchandising Skill
• Excellent ERP knowledge
• Excellent Commercial Awareness/Business Acumen Skill
• Excellent Budget Management Skill
• Excellent Strategy Development Skill
• Excellent Numerical Skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong written communication skills
• Attention to details
• Excellent Analytical Skill
• Strong teaching, counseling and coaching skills
• Effective and proven interpersonal skills
• Mentally strong, energetic and result oriented
• Good planning and prioritizing skills
• Ability to handle confidentiality of information
• People Management Skill
• Excellent Problem Solving Skill
• Excellent Team Building Skill.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Market data analysis - ability to analyze best sellers in the business versus the competitor and design the category architecture accordingly
• Consumer data analysis - analyze changing consumer preferences, product sales patterns and purchase behaviors in the market to promote the right price bundle and offers
• Category strategy - use data and customer insights to define strategic and tactical plans to improve overall category performance and price setting practices
• Category prioritization - arrange categories based on the importance of categories to the customer, and how they value and buy our products online versus in-store.
• Category appraisal- review categories to work out if all key elements are aligned in terms of pricing, promotion, placement, and product assortment assessment.
• Category analysis - analyze key financials and business as usual performance reporting to ensure products, ranges and assortments are reaching key objectives.
• Category strategy - work out go-to-market strategies for each category to increase profitable revenue growth as well as market share.
• Implementation - work with all commercial teams to ensure all promotions and offers are timely and effective.
• Review & Performance Reporting - track sales in volume and financials to ensure the business reaches its objectives. Make sure that products and stores are generating value for their customers.