The Merchandising Manager is responsible for Buying activities of the assigned category/s in the Region (selection and quantity definition by store). As Merchandising Manager, you will buy client centric with the objective of tailoring the assortment for each country/city/store as well as ensure a flawless cross-functional in-season cooperation with other departments to ensure Sell-Through results.

Buying:

• Implement and translate the WW buying strategy at regional level based on market’s
• Guarantee the coordination of the image (through the buy) in the region and by store
• Coordinate the buying choices within the region with the objective of fully exploiting the WW product strategy
• Coordinate special projects across categories during the buying campaign (capsules, x-mas,Towards summer/winter, precious skin, caravans…)
• Partner with the Clienteling Manager to orchestrate buying activities during the buying campaign i.e.: Top Client requests, OTOs, Trunk Shows...
• Guarantee that the Carry Over proposal is consistently monitored and revised to its full potential by store with localized strategies
• Coordinate and collaborate across various Regional Functions on launches, new store openings, renovations, closures, events…
• In season analysis and strategy proposal to optimize assortments by store
• Manage the stock for the assigned category/s in the Region
• Rationalize and monitor stores' assortment (Newness vs Carryover)
• Coordinate with your local Inventory Planning team on defining the rules for stock distribution of Newness & Carry Over
• Work on reorders to take from Corporate Bulk
• Work on in-season cancellation proposals to Corporate Merchandising and follow up with local Inventory Planning and Corporate Supply Chain
• Work with other Merchandising team members in the development and execution of merchandise assortment and buying plans

Analysis and Feedback:

• Monitor sales and sell-through and initiate appropriate strategies and tactics to optimize stock and boost sales
• Monitor category business to maximize business priorities/opportunities
• Review of Competitor & Pricing analysis; Merchandising grid
• Collect and share qualitative comments on business to Corporate Merchandising counterparts through regular e-mails or calls
• Coordination with local Inventory Planning on delivery checks and newness allocation
• Organize Store Visits on a regular basis to gather qualitative feedback on clients and product trends
• Share monthly feedback to the Corporate CDPP Team
• Monitor sales performance and activate tactical needs accordingly
• Analyse stock level, delivery status and merchandise allocation of assigned product categories in collaboration with Inventory Planning and identify growth opportunities

Store Visits:

• Conduct regular store visits (Gucci & competitors) based on business needs
• Help clarify assortments and product buying strategies to store teams (Newness & Carry Over)
• Help highlight important product information to store teams already communicated through Digital Training Modules to help emphasize their importance
• Participate and collaborate with the Local Team to secure product knowledge in stores
• Work closely with VM and Retail, spend time in stores and closely monitor the clientele behaviour and the market specificities

Merchandise Planning:

• Highlight full potential opportunities per store, with bottom-up sales plan and forecast by store and category
• Conduct Sales plan reviews with Planning Team (Regional & WW)
• Evaluate sales potential by event/store to define the OTB split
• Evaluate the sales potential of products and collections by functions, lines, and price ranges to cover different customer segments and nationalities

Visual Merchandising:

• Give strategic input for visual set-ups in alignment with Retail and VM based on business needs to boost business performance
• Provide VM with all necessary Buying information to help facilitate implementation of strategies
• Closely work together with VM on New Launch strategies to secure successful Newness launches
• Work together with other Merchandising Team members on cross-category projects to give VM complete visibility to execute Actions
• Continuously share updates in Carry Over assortment & performance to fine tune Carry Over displays
• Share performance feedback and visual priorities (Newness & Carry Over) to help VM implement relevant strategies that will benefit the business

People Management:

• Coach a Merchandiser on daily/weekly/monthly tasks, as well as all seasonal Merchandising activities (Seasonal Buying, Product Training/Master Class, Regional Events, etc.).
• Serve as a good role model for the Merchandiser to look up to, providing appropriate support/advice as needed.

Qualifications

• 5 years to 10 years’ experience in fashion merchandising, preferably in a consumer retail or luxury brand context. 
• Experience in retail environment with hands-on knowledge of retail processes and procedures
• Strong accuracy & precision for analytical abilities
• Experience in using of Excel and BI tools to monitor performances and KPIs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in English and Japanese.
• Collaborative skills ability to work cross-functionally in a team environment
• Availability to travel (locally and oversea)
• Luxury fashion house experience preferred.

Gucci is committed to building a diverse workforce. We believe diversity in all its forms – gender, age, disability, nationality, culture, religious beliefs and sexual orientation – enriches the workplace.  

It opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to adapt to a changing world.  

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background.