(This role is open to Indian Nationals only)

Role Profile:

• A Merchandiser is responsible for translating the brand’s plans into profitable results in utilizing current sales and trends information to execute daily operational, trading and merchandising activities.
• Deputise Senior Merchandisers as required, on all trading and merchandising related tasks, meetings and forums.

Below are the responsibilities of a Merchandiser but not limited to:

• Providing analysis, insights and recommendations on daily merchandising activities to the Senior Merchandisers and Merchandising Managers on areas that they are responsible for based on define AOR.
• Execute product analysis and providing feedback and recommendations to key stakeholders.
• Execute forecasting of orders quantities based on stock and sales information.
• Recommend and execute retail pricing, promotion and markdown strategy.
• Responsible to oversee and manage the activities executed by Assistant Merchandisers.
• Review and discuss allocation data performed by Assistant Merchandisers.
• Maintain accurate stock record to purchase what is necessary for later resale.
• Monitor the shipping of merchandise to stores.
• Keep up-to-date on latest marketing trends and industry trends.
• Perform analysis and execute channel clustering and size scaling processes (including selecting time slices, exclude product stores, execute CC and SS runs and re-assign stores).
• Monitor and review terminal stock and develop action items to mitigate and cascade it to Assistant Merchandisers.
• Review execution of reclassification activities performed by Assistant Merchandisers in the system: Preparation of reclassification (M), approval of reclassification (SM).
• Provide analytics insights into their respective areas of responsibilities (AOR) to support Business Planning activities and forecasting of sales.
• Collaborate with Merchandise Financial Planner to support in-season department planning planning, including making recommendations for actions around sales markdown or promotion and stock to reflect in season trends (EP) *West Elm will not be doing Bottom-Up Planning.
• Accountable for Product Selection in Assortment Planning (AP).
• Review and adjust base forecast and demand forecast performance and resolve issues or exceptions on demand and fulfilment solutions*.
• Responsible to execute demand planning and fulfilment activities including New DFU introduction, managing discontinued DFUs and perform manual review of history and cleansing when required*.
• Manage the range building and working with the Buyers on the selection/buying process of ranges.
• Responsible to update supplier expense profile.
• Perform ad-hoc analytics when required.
• Approve stock transfers and store stock balancing activities proposed by Assistant Merchandiser.
• Provide support to Senior Merchandiser in day to day trade activities.
• Responsible to coach assistant merchandisers in day to day trading and merchandising activities, as part of ensure talents are developed within the brands.

Language and knowledge required:

• English speaking essential, conversational Arabic desirable.
• Possess commercial awareness and understanding of the retail business.                                                                 

Qualification and experience:

• Relevant degree, with retail experience is preferable.
  2 - 4 years of experience as Assistant Merchandiser or equivalent role.
  Demonstrates in-depth understanding in budget planning, product planning, retail allocation

Skills and competencies

• Proven ability and/or experience to lead a junior team and demonstrate good line management.
• Possess a good understanding of retail math concepts with strong analytical and numerical skills to work out budgets and understand sales figures.
• Ability to work under pressure in a dynamic environment and to quickly identify problems and recommend solutions.
• Demonstrates the ability to plan and prioritise, demonstrates a clear and structured thought process to be able to make sound decision-making and recommendations.
• Good communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Able to work well as part of a team and to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
• Possess a strong commercial acumen and the ability to understand what will appeal to customers.