A large international company within the sports and fashion industry is looking for the right person to lead the merchandising department for one of their brands at their headoffice in Lugano, Switzerland.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Responsible for the merchandising activities of owned stores and web site, directly managing a team of buyers, planning manager and allocators.

Defines with buyers the selection of the collections for owned stores and e-commerce project. Directs Buying team in the assortment planning process.

Supervises buyers replenishment.

Develops financial plans that deliver Sales, Margin and Turnover goals in cooperation with the planners.

Supervises and approves allocators work to ensure the correct merchandise flow, stays involved in inventory distribution.

Works in team with visual merchandising manager to settle down key seasonal stories, floor space strategies and the calendar of store installations.

Works in team with ecommerce team to define the web product layout and functional organization of the web pages.

Works in team with marketing manager to define event in the stores that support key seasonal stories. Communicates to Merchandising team the necessary actions.

Develops and fosters relationships that enable retail to influence products creation.

Manage sales, margin and turnover to achieve desired results

Plan and execute New Store assortments and initial sets

Create seasonal marketing plans that support merchandise goals

Analyze market trend and competition.

Manage Outlet business to clear excess inventory while delivering sales and margin targets.

Monitor and respond to customer feedback/claim regarding products received by email on the web site.

Recommend system enhancements based on business needs.

Approximately 50 days of travel per year

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor Degree or similar in related field

Experience: 5+ years experience in merchandise buying and planning within seasonal retail such as apparel, clothing or similar.

Experience in visual merchandising basics

Leadership: Managerial and leadership skills

Language skills: English

Analytical Skills: Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office products, above all Excel.

Knowledge of retail store operations;

Strong business and financial analysis skills

This recruitment is handled by Camilla Degerth, SAM Headhunting Group, www.samheadhunting.com .