:Position Objective

• Plan and select the range, type, quality and quantity of merchandise according to customer demand, trends, store policies and set prices and sell through targets in conjunction with the Brand Manager/GM to ensure they are in line with the budge.
• Carry out buying activities in-line with the brand buying plans
• Maintain profitable relationships with existing suppliers and monitor the adherence to the contract terms

Business Strategy:

• Drive the seasonal strategies in line with the brand positioning to formulate Gross Margin Plan
• Develop a fine-tuned assortment and investment plan
• Create the sourcing development plan and action the critical path to deliver timely
• Negotiate with new suppliers on product pricing, payment terms, cost of freight, provision of training, and the extent of their involvement in advertising and promotions, to decide on placing a purchase order with the supplier for the concerned product
• OTB Planning - Manage OTB in tandem with the planning counterpart
• Deliver the seasonal business strategy by monitoring and impacting the critical path, range building and product selection
• Prepare and manage the buying calendar
• Formulate seasonal product focus plan with Marketing and VM to drive key product initiatives
• Focus on holding current business and build new categories
• Conducting customer focus groups and competitive shopping

Performance and Operations:

• Analysis and reporting of weekly sales performance at style, range, category and business unit level against range plan. Take in season action to revise production flows and maximize sales
• Manage TNA plans
• Implement the buying calendar for timely seasonal analysis and range build
• Perform regular competitor surveys to identify product gaps, influence lessons learnt and range plans
• Manage range and product hierarchy and create the seasonal phasing plan
• Responsible for the \'The Look\' for the season. Influence product selection, in-store VM as per guidelines and layout planning
• Keep abreast of market trends and awareness of competitor activities
• Manage the product training of staff to ensure up-to-date knowledge. Prepare regular trends training and deliver to the business units
• Review buying feedback reports and provide recommendations to General Manager as to buying strategy for a respective brand/collection

About Us:Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate residing at the crossroads of the modern economy - Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Today, the Apparel Group caters to thousands of eager shoppers through its more than 1750+ stores and 75+ brands across all platforms employing 17,000 multicultural staff covering four continents.Apparel group has carved its strong presence not only in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia but opened thriving gateways to market in India, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Additionally, clear strategies are in place to enter emerging markets such as Hungary, Pakistan, Egypt and Philippines. Also, Apparel Group provides customers the experience of shopping from the comfort of their own home with ease and convenience via our E-Commerce site 6thStreet.comApparel Group Operates Brands from around the world, originating from USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia and include leading names in Fashion, Footwear & Lifestyle such as Tommy Hilfiger, Charles & Keith, Skechers, Aldo, Nine West, Aeropostale, Jamie's Italian to name a few and other key brands include Tim Hortons, Cold Stone Creamery, Inglot, Rituals etc..The Apparel Group owes its amazing growth to the vision and guidance of its dynamic Chairman, Nilesh Ved, who has taken the company from strength to strength since its inception in the last two decades.

Apparel Group