Assistant Manager Retail Merchandising

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

Optimize pre-season buying width and depth, reflecting latest and future projected fashion trend.

Read in-season ST to seek for repeat order opportunities, as well as proposing Plan B action for slow movers to achieve DTC financial goals.

Provide quality feedback to BU to make sure Japan range reflect Japan consumer needs.

Prove CS buy is well balanced between Brand direction and Commercial needs via sign off process.

Key Responsibilities:   

Deliver below tasks with Manager’s support.

Pre-Season

• Familiarized with latest product trends to edge future range.
• Analysis of mirror season product sell thru (best seller/slow seller) to reflect next season Assortment Plan.
• Participate GTM process from earlier stage, assess the global range to provide quality feedback to BU to make sure Japan range reflect Japan consumer needs.
• Provide quality feedback to marketing calendar draft prepared by retail marketing.
• Prepare by store level Assortment Plan based on Japan range and marketing calendar.
• Provide by article level forecast(s) to BU before sign-off.
• Prepare buy sign off presentation to prove the balance between Brand direction and commercial needs and get approval by Retail VP and Brand VP.

In-Season

• Provide latest product launch info, reflecting delivery status with VM/RM to be ready for optimized consumer journey at store.
• Monitor, Analyze and Report sell thru and propose appropriate action to achieve financial goal.
• Propose Plan B if ST is underperforming, additional order if ST is outperforming.
• Work on by store product range adjustment based on Sell thru progress, aligning with VM.
• Prepare business report to keep SLT and Brand team updated with CS net sales trend.
• Represent retail and attend CFT meeting and share Retail POV.
• Flag low ST articles and propose action plan incl. markdown, aligning w/ BU and other channels.

Post-season

• Contribute to End of Season sales planning based on In season sales performance.

Key Relationships:

• Japan BU
• Japan Brand Activation / Retail marketing
• Japan Retail Sales
• Japan eCommerce
• Japan Supply Chain

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong trend reading skill
• Strong analysis skill
• Strong presentation/communication skills
• Experience in merchandising/ buying role
• Experience in market roles
• Advance Excel Skill

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• University degree in Business or equivalent professional experience
• 5+ years’ experience in relevant Buying or Merchandising role
• English capability ( minimum email etc, ideally fluent)
• Fluent in Japanese
• Passion for sports and fashion