Senior Manager, Planning and Travel Retail

Job Definition (Key Purpose of the Job) :

This position provides strategic oversight on E2E planning (business planning, buying, allocation) for the ROA market (HongKong, Taiwan, Singapore, Maylasia and Australia & New Zealand).This position will lead the team to build sales plan, seasonal OTB plan, seasonal buy plan and in-season inventory allocation executions. This position makes critical business decisions that impact directly on P&L, for example, Buy decisions, Markdown plans and Inventory flow. This position partner with regional merchant team and regional sales team, link the Product offer with market demand to ensure the brand strategy and product strategy is properly landed in local market.

This position also be responsible for supporting the definition and activation of the cross-brand APAC travel retail business initiatives that require specific buying and merchandise expertise. Tight liaison with the Sales Operation team, Business Development and Merchandising and Planning community.

Key Result Areas :

the Senior Planning Manager is responsible for ROA end to end Planning:

• OTB and Forecast Management – Finalize the Buy, ensuring tie back to product strategy and financial goals/plan. Partner with Merchandising to build franchise and new product lifecycle strategies to ensure balanced buys and exit plans
• Financial Forecast accuracy – partner with Finance organization to constantly provide visibility on revenue/margin trajectory vs targets
• In-season management –Oversee markdown and discount strategies in alignment with Commercial leads and financial targets.
• Close monitor in-season product launch plan, lifecyle, sell through & delivery status with XF team. Actively involved and drive actions for proper product launch landing in store
• Participating actively in the new GTM process and is the key contributor to voice up from business perspective
• Share specific channel's hindsights with Marketplace analytst, decision-making is fact-based
• Developing team's capabilities, analytical skills and business knowledge through coaching and on the job monitoring/training.

The Senior Planning Manager is responsible for Travel Retail Store Merchandising and Planning:

Merchandising Strategy & Execution connected to proof of concept of travel retail: Set a clear merch strategy and execution roadmap for the travel retail store/s to maximize productivity and drive awareness of the new concept, while respecting VF brands image and reputation.

• Define and communicate a clear cross-brand merchandising vision and translate that into goals and targets.
• Work to build a commercial and balanced range of VF products that could resonate with the Travel Retail consumer delivering a fresh and premium lifestyle proposition.
• Define the buy from the brands respecting the overarching travel retail vision and goals.
• Drive stock and sales densities to optimize space planning and travel retail store Design.
• Optimize sales and margin whilst managing inventory days.
• Analyze trading patterns, advise teams and ensure appropriate action is taken.
• Works with Retail Transformation to ensure merchandising vision is executed in the travel retail store/s.

Merchandising Strategy & Execution connected to roll-out of travel retail stores: Set a clear merch strategy and execution roadmap for the commercial roll-out of the store concept, considering the differences in business models and geographies:

• Define and set up a Merchandising Organization dedicated to the travel retail business. Manage planning, buying and allocations, overseeing the teams and their processes, creating best practices.
• Define and communicate a clear cross-brand merchandising vision and translate that into goals and targets for the entire travel retail network.
• Facilitate regular merchandising strategy and retail range share out sessions with key Partners and key business stakeholders.
• Work to build a commercial and balanced range of VF products that could resonate with the Travel Retail consumer delivering a fresh and premium lifestyle proposition.
• Drive stock and sales densities to optimize space planning and travel retail store design.
• Optimize sales and margin whilst managing inventory days.
• Work with Retail Operations to ensure merchandising vision is executed in the stores.
• Test and monitor new and innovative ways to bring the dedicated product range to market.
• Develop and foster relationships that enable retail to influence products creation opportunities and works to deliver into seasonal line build-out.

Other projects and responsibilities: Support the cross-brand Omnichannel Operations team in areas that require specific buying and merchandise expertise in the future.

Experience:

• Knowledge and intuition of the style, design and color characteristics of best and worst sellers
• Retail and product expertise in the key markets in Asia
• Working knowledge of a P&L
• Strong understanding of customer needs
• Ability to identify fashion trends
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent presentation, communication and influencing skills
• Strong teamwork and collaboration with cross functional teams
• Ability to interact and communicate with all levels of employees – both senior and junior
• Flexibility to adapt to the changing trends of the business requirements
• Strong teamwork and collaboration with cross functional teams
• Solid skills in coaching and developing teams