Merchandiser - Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Kayfi

Description

Qualification:

Graduate in Merchandising, Fashion designing, or equivalent

Additional Business Management or equivalent studies would be an advantage

Experience: Overall 5 to 7+ years' experience as Merchandiser in a Fashion Industry (Preferrably from a factory background)

Languages: English (mandatory)

Must be available in UAE

Visual Merchandisers kindly DO NOT apply.

Procurement/ Buying

• Budgeting: determine the procurement and production costs as per range plan for all ongoing products/drop for each financial year.
• Update and maintain the required records properly. Eg. BOM, Price list, PO, etc.
• Closely monitor stock levels and plan procurement quantities accordingly
• Source fabric suppliers who can work with our MOQs' be it local or overseas.
• Ensure that the fabric booked/Purchased is meeting our quality parameters.
• Be proactive in anticipating and averting manufacturing or supply chain problems.
• Identifying production and supply difficulties and dealing with any problems or delays as they arise.
• Get the PP, Fit and Bulk Production samples approved from Product Manager & Deputy Design Manager, before placing any bulk order.
• Order packing and labeling trims for bulk production from India and locally as well in advance of the season to ensure that shipment dates are maintained.
• Follow up with vendors to ensure they follow the timelines i.e. Follow-up until consignment is dispatched from the manufacturer, logistics coordination until consignment reaches the company warehouse and updating reports accordingly.
• Build and maintain healthy relationships with existing vendors and also source new vendors ( fabric/manufacturing/trims etc)
• Have complete knowledge of how to calculate consumptions/cross check quotations from vendors and also cross cost with multiple vendors to achieve maximum savings.
• Assess vendor performance on a regular basis based on quality checks, timely deliveries, pricing, etc.

Inventory Management

• Manage the logistics from factory to warehouse
• Ensure GRN against each shipment is completed by the warehouse on receipt of the shipments
• Controlling stock levels based on forecasts for the season.
• Study & analyze customer feedback & reasons for returns related to our design, collection & products from the customer care team.
• Understand the reason of our slow movers and make appropriate rectifications in our forthcoming collection to avoid the same
• Understand the reasons for fast moving products & analyze 'why our target market is appreciating them'

Price Management & Profitability

• Pricing garments based on quality and brand positioning (affordable)
• Regularly monitor and control product costing
• Analyze competitors pricing, make comparison reports and suggest corrective actions
• Look for ways to cut expenses to maintain competitive rates
• Fashion Trend Analysis and Forecasting
• Must have in-depth understanding of competitive brands to understand fabric qualities/trims etc being used and apply it to our brand.
• Develop an overall merchandising concept to suit the target market.
• Remain up to date with the latest merchandising trends in fashion industry as per company's product categories & target market
• Analyze industry, competitors and category trends to identify the most appropriate and profitable strategy for the category, through the launch of new products, planning of category events and introduction of new Brands
• Study various KPI's to analyze Suppliers/ Manufacturers Performance (Eg: Rejections, Damages, OTIF, etc)
• New Product/Collection Launch
• Closely work with teams to ensure successful New Product/ Collection Launch
• Ensure all photoshoot samples are in-house as per the deadline dates given every season by the Marketing team
• Areas where there shall be a direct involvement along with respective team members:

Production- sampling

Sample approval- Maintaining sampling tracker

Create MRP as per Kayfi sales strategy analysis & Gross profit margins.

Constantly updating ERP software maintaining accurate data of products in the software.

Create & check product related content (Product description sheet) to handover to Design & Marketing team

(handling, washing, etc.)

New Products Category finalization

Be a part of the quality checks of end product along with garment technologist.

Follow Packaging material & guidelines

Marketing and Promotion

• Marketing and PromotionWork closely with Product Manager for Shop-in-shop /Market Place & other channels of expansion in terms of quantity distribution and logistics.
• Suggest the product features to marketing team that can be highlighted in promotions

Cross-functional activities

• Work with the product team to plan range plans and collections as per the latest/ upcoming market trends as per sales report analysis.
• Coordinate with Distribution Centre team regarding stocks returns and inventory related queries for upcoming seasons or offers
• Team-work & Training: Training and mentoring junior staff and other professionals related to the merchandising field
• Product Sampling: Approve quality along with production & design team management i.e Product Manager, Design Manager, Buyer, Master Tailor & Garment Technologist
• Work closely with Product Manager and report day-to-day activities and progress