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6THSTREET.COM is a one-stop shop for style-conscious women, men and kids in the UAE, KSA and Kuwait. The fashion-savvy destination offers collections from over 150 international fashion brands such as Dune London, ALDO, Naturalizer, Nine West, Charles & Keith, New Balance, Crocs, Birkenstock, Skechers, Levi\'s, Aeropostale, Garage, Nike, Adidas Originals, Rituals, and many more. The online fashion platform also provides free delivery, free returns, cash on delivery and the option for click and collect

Overview

The Head of Planning & Merchandising is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic merchandise business plan in partnership with the Head of Buying. The role is responsible for driving the strategy for merchandise planning, budget planning, forecasting and effective in-season inventory management for all the online multiband. Partner across all buying and planning teams to establish processes, systems and collaborative relationships needed for effective delivery, replenishment, sell-through and mark downs across various categories and clusters. Ensure planning, buying teams are working in tandem to respond to customer trends to achieve sales, margin and stock turn targets.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Partner with the Head of Buying to develop the merchandise strategy, budget and forecast, providing data-driven input from historical data, customer analytics, market conditions and supplier demands
• Align with the merchandising counterparts to define seasonal, annual and multi-year strategies that identify future opportunities, trends and produce competitive advantage and superior results
• Foster a comprehensive understanding of how the customer strategy translates to the financial and buy plans
• Provide input to the Finance team to support accurate business forecasting and areas that can be leveraged to achieve cost control and profitability
• Develop the framework and foundation for the entire Planning function in coordination with relevant stakeholders and ensure successful implementation
• Act as a change leader to support company initiatives, actively participating in strategic decision making, proactively challenging status quo, presenting alternative approaches, and highlighting potential issues as needed
• Support the development and adoption of policies and procedures for the Planning function to effectively meet company objectives, targets in line with relevant controls and oversight.

Functional Responsibilities

• Direct the timely creation, review and execution of the budget and open to buy plans, insuring that they meet financial sales and margin expectations
• Drive annual sales forecasts across the various categories
• Ensure alignment on key business priorities and direction by partnering with key stakeholders across finance, commercial and merchandising teams
• Approve quantification of the buy, ensuring planners create compelling assortment plans that execute the merchandise strategy, capture localization opportunities and maintain financial accountability
• Introduce advanced planning and continuous improvement tools/methodologies/systems to help the business deliver results in replenishment, distribution, allocation and inventory management.
• Partner with the appropriate functional groups to build a collaborative planning process to increase visibility, drive performance improvement to support short and long-term corporate objectives.
• Drive inventory optimization, through improved receipt planning, management and improved merchandise turnover
• Develop strong, unified leadership teams, promoting a culture of inclusivity, empowerment and accountability

Desired Candidate Experience & Skills

• 10+ years of experience in Merchandising/ Planning, minimum of 4 in leadership, in a high-volume e-comm multi-brand organization
• Experience in working across e-comm and Retail channels
• Success in leading the transformation of a high growth business that includes global expansion
• Seasoned manager, a leader who motivates and inspires by example
• Knowledge and experience in implementing industry best practices and an ability to introduce and support these practices within the company
• A credible partner within the senior leadership team; able to build strong relationships with peers
• Thrives in a fast-paced and growing business; comfortable with change.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work with very young, dynamic and fastest growing E-com venture in GCC
• Competitive salary and bonus
• Company employee discounts across all brands
• Medical & health insurance + Visa
• Collaborative work environment
• Great and open work culture

Apparel Group