Assistant Manager, Core Duty Free Category Management

Objective

To drive and/or support the Travel Essentials business through driving product development, category management, supplier management, inventory replenishment and data analysis. 

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and present monthly statistical analysis for the purposes of Travel Essentials Commercial Review

• Drive day to day buying activities to support operations to achieve business objectives.

• Weekly inventory replenishment planning and report

• Devise Long term development strategies for product categories

• For Manager level, manage and lead department team members to drive objectives and execute category management strategies

• Foster relationships with vendors to achieve sales objectives

• Close liaison with Marketing team on promotions and campaigns, ensuring campaigns are well supported with relevant merchandise range and stock levels to achieve KPIs set

• Product Development through follow up with existing vendors or searching for new vendors, including developing strong in-house brands

• Present and execute implementation/development of the sales strategy of the department

• Closely monitor stock levels, implement and monitor actions to avoid OOS and Over stock situation

• Formulate an assortment strategy that is consistent with overall business strategies/direction for assigned categories or segment

• Monitor the proper execution of the merchandising strategy at the country and store level

• Drive and execute the brands’ floor space planning and allocation for all stores

• Work with Travel Essentials Commercial team to determine seasonal transition and promotional strategies to maintain healthy inventory levels and stock rotation

• Monitor sales performance on newly developed products, determine further sales opportunities based on results

• Select/delete assortment as appropriate and devise plans to on-board/exit products appropriately

• Deliver on the sales, gross margin and turnover goals on her/his assigned category, in-house brands or vendors

• Monitor vendor reliance to ensure consistent supply of merchandise and regularly ensure prices obtained are competitive in the market

• Consistently review all Master Data to ensure compliance with company SOPs

• Liaise with Vendor for product Master Data collection, ensuring data quality is compliant with company standards

• Drive Cost & Retail Price changes in Navision, in accordance to the strategy agreed with manager

• Ensure proper implementation of Promotion and Price changes in the system, as agreed with manager 

• Communicate Price change details in due time to Ops team for implementation

• Handle Purchase Price Discrepancies (in partnership with Finance team) arising in Purchase Orders

• Master Data & Retail Price Governance 

• Collaborate actively with internal partners (logistics and finance to resolve issues related to product data, price discrepancies, and purchase orders

• All other administrative responsibilities

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Diploma or Degree in relevant discipline

• For Managers, at least 5 years relevant experience and for Asst Managers, at least 2.5 years relevant experience in Merchandising and buying from Multi Categories / FMCG / Confectionery and Mass Retail background

• Computer literate with excellent MS Excel skills(Knowledge of pivot table and v-lookup is a MUST)

• Good knowledge of SAP, BW, Navision

• Good analytical skills

• Meticulous and numerical

• Dynamic, efficient, and motivated

• Autonomous and pro active

• Excellent communication and people skills

• Team player

• Fulfilment of ad-hoc projects as assigned