Manager Franchise Buying

PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION:

This role is responsible for the Franchise Buying of Originals FTW, tasked with aligning and executing the brand’s seasonal priorities and buying strategy for Franchise Customers, and supporting them to meet their OTB targets. Key deliverables include product range feedback, assortment planning, article forecast & order plans, as well as providing timely sales performance analysis with trading recommendations and market trend insights to support business growth.

Key Responsibilities: 

Pre-Season Buying & Planning:
Develop the buying plan in alignment with the brand’s seasonal priorities, buying strategy, top-down financial targets, market trends, and consumer insights.
•    Provide proposals for pre-season buying structures based on historical sales analysis. Conduct detailed analysis on the article level to identify key drivers for top-selling articles, and root cause for slow-moving articles.
•    Provide range feedback and product request to BU based on sample review, YOY comparison, and Franchise Customers’ feedback.
•    Create assortment plans by store clusters with clear product segmentation, and deliver article forecast with appropriate order depth based on confidence level and historical sell-out data.
•    Deliver order plan and clear order guidance to Franchise Customers, support them in Trade Meeting sample review and order placement. 
•    Review Franchise Customers buying quantity vs OTB plan; Reconcile the buying plan with the merchandise plan, and support OTB achievement.

In-Season Buying & Trading:
•    Provide buying plan and support order placement for in-season lateadd products, and chase order on high-performing articles.
•    Work closely with X-function team to track ST% and product performance by FRS Customer, region and store format, to take quick actions based on performance.
•    Provide ongoing quantitative analysis of product and category performance 
•    Partner with X-function team to develop action steps for next season.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

BU, FRS Planning, MW Inseason Trading Team, FRS Operations team, Product Sales, Brand Comms, etc.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

•    Solid products and merchandising knowledge
•    Be passionate about buying and able to work under intense timeline
•    Strong analytical skills
•    Strong (written and verbal) communication and interpersonal skills. Collaborative, able to build strong relationships quickly. 
•    Learning and self-development
•    Results oriented
    
REQUISITE EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SKILL

•    Bachelor advanced degree, with solid years in consumer industry with at least 6 years in merchandising / buying function
•    Sensitive to fashion industry and sneaker trend 
•    Good understanding of retail business
•    Prefer very good Excel skills and ability to develop useful models/tools
•    Prefer good presentation and PPT skills