Job description

JOB PURPOSE   

The main purpose for this position is to lead and direct the Merchandising, Allocation & Category Planning teams in conjunction with the Buyers & Category Managers to plan and deliver the annual budget targets and category strategy by optimizing the products in line with channel, route and outlet requirements.

Under the guidance of his manager, project manage the development, standardization, refinement and implementation of processes and systems for the Retail and Food & Beverage Merchandising teams to ensure best practice working, maintain and increase efficiency and deal effectively with the increasing complexity of the business. Lead the merchandising team in the implementation of new business initiatives as they are identified.

  MAIN TASKS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES      

• Supports the Merchandising & Buying leadership in shaping and delivering the development and growth of products.

• Acts in a pivotal role for teams and internal functions to co-ordinate projects and provide 2-way communication.

• Offers ‘best practice’ expertise and contributes to the development and implementation of new and improved ways of working and core skills to deliver one team, drive efficiency and optimize resources.

• Works with Finance and the Data Team to develop and influence the accuracy of management information and reporting and ensures that reporting and KPIs enable the planning and tracking of financial goals.

• Builds good working relationships with other functions and Senior Managers to solve business issues.

• Leads the implementation of new business initiatives e.g., multi-channel retailing.

• Provides the rollup of key category and campaign commercial information and resolves issues and conflicts for Senior Manager to review.

Strategy Management

• Works with the team to formalize and agree the range and sourcing strategy for the department ensuring that it delivers consumer, sales, margin, space, and stock objectives.

• Adds value to the buying process providing an objective view for Buyers and Category Managers and ensures that key learning from the historical and seasonal analysis informs range strategy development.

• Develops a sound supply policy for the department, striving for consistent best practice partnerships.

• Displays in depth customer focused knowledge of markets, trends and store performance.

Financial Planning        

• Works closely with the Senior Managers and Finance team to build departmental budgets and reforecasts.

• Builds the financial plan to deliver the range and campaign strategy and retail commercial goals. Sets and agrees targets for sales, intake and gross margin, stock, markdown for all categories.

• Integrates space into the planning process to drive departmental profit density and inform option planning and departmental strategy.

• Builds Stock, Sales and OTB plans to deliver the financial goals and KPIS and to enable the effective management of stock flows into the business including closing stocks.

Forecasting and Performance Management  

• Demonstrates views on current key trade activity.

• Ensures performance in line with KPI targets, continuously driving to improve Revenue, Margin, Stock and Space productivity.

• Manages in season trading through the merchandising team balancing maximization of profit and minimization of risk and assesses opportunities and risks at the key reporting levels.

• Identifies & implements trading strategies that sell through at full price and markdown to achieve closing stock targets.

• Re-forecasts weekly to manage fluctuations in trading patterns and communicates revised weekly and monthly forecasts to the business.

• Holds monthly meetings with each team to ensure a unified approach and monitor performance.

Allocation and Supply Chain

• Defines best practice methodology for Allocation & Replenishment and builds and supports the delivery of training across Retail and F&B.

• Ensures the provision of stock on a timely basis to meet ship sales and stock targets including the management of breaking stocks.

• Delivers weekly and forward stock forecasts and collaborates with them to manage flow into the business in a cost effective and efficient way.

• Works closely with the supply base to ensure that all process issues are identified, and effective solutions put in place.

Business Process and Systems   

• Demonstrates in depth knowledge of best practice processes and systems to support the planning, forecasting, and monitoring of departmental objectives and KPIS.

• Delivers all critical path requirements to time and quality throughout the Buying cycle.

• Ensures that the information and data requirements of the department are administered accurately and effectively.

Marketing and Optimization    

• Makes recommendations to the Team on the planning and optimization of retail space across categories.

Leadership and Team Development   

• Sets clear objectives to the Merchandising team in line with the department goals. Monitors progress, conducts regular reviews, provides feedback, and supports them with routes to achieve and exceed these objectives.

• Ensures effective team working to enhance individual ability and overall team dynamics – to deliver commercial objectives.

• Builds good working relationships with key functions and senior managers proactively communicates current and future category plans and works to solve business issues: distribution, finance, systems, operations.

• Inspires confidence in others, builds rapport and is seen as a role model.

Market Trend Management

• A continuous knowledge of the marketplace and anticipates future trends. Remains up to date with external developments.

• Continually questions own working practices striving to eliminate ‘nonvalue added activity’.

• Personally, demonstrates appropriate behaviors/ways of working to reflect/support the company policy regarding diversity – drives this approach across.

• Ensures personal behavior promotes cultural change and reflects the values/behaviors of the business.

• Continually question own working practices striving to eliminate ‘nonvalue added activity’.

• Personally demonstrate appropriate behaviors/ways of working to reflect/support the company policy regarding diversity – drive this approach across.

• Ensure personal behavior promotes cultural change and reflects the values/behaviors of the business.

• Performs all other tasks and duties as assigned.

HACCP/other compliances     

• Ensure hygiene standards are maintained through the sales process - till the product reaches the final consumer from the finished goods warehouse.

• Ensure that all local environmental requirements are duly adhered to.

• Knowledge of and adherence to regional council compliance requirements.

Health and Safety        

• Understand and ensure meeting the obligations of health and safety requirements of employment legislation.

• Identify and contain/minimize product related health hazards reported by the consumer(s).

• Maintain an event register for supply and subsequent recall of all defective products.

Team Building – Planning, acquisition and mentoring 

• Forecast staff requirements for the department, plan budget and get requisite approval

• Define knowledge/skillsets required

• Effective communication within and outside the team

• Create a supportive environment for the team members

• Contribute to the team, letting others know information that may be useful or important

• Help to create a fun, supportive work environment

People management and reporting responsibilities    

• Liaison with management and other line managers (as part of cross function team) for efficient running of the department.

• Participate in management and supervisory meetings as and when required.

• Produce end of month departmental report, on time, and as required by the management.

• Ensure accurate and up to date, daily, weekly, monthly records as required by the management.

• Ensure tasks are understood by the team members, and performed responsibly and diligently

• Help others in the team if needed; Support relief staff in their duties

Education Level (Minimum Requirement)     

• General Secondary Education Certificate or equivalent, with background in Sales, Marketing, or related field.

Professional Qualifications

•          Advanced diploma in agribusiness.

•          Have a valid driver’s license.

Work Experience       

•          Overall experience of 5 years.

•          Experience of managing sales teams at national level in FMCG industry. Experience in dairy products will be preferred.

•          Strong understanding of the Middle East especially Oman.

Job Specific Skills       

•          Capacity to lead sales at a national level with established credentials in sales.

•          Financial awareness to understand and interpret numbers; Excellent written & verbal communication / presentation skills.

•          Team player with excellent motivational skills.

Generic Skills

•          Must be alert, strive for accuracy, and have ability to exercise independent thinking and judgment, be a self- motivator, and attention to detail.

•          Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

•          Integrity, discretion, and loyalty.