Job Description

Founded in 1913 in Italy, the Prada Group was built on a tradition of excellence and with a vision of innovation. The Group, a world leader in the luxury sector, operates in more than 45 countries with the PRADA, Miu Miu, Versace, Church’s, Car Shoe and Luna Rossa brands, and has employees of over 100 nationalities.

JOB PURPOSE

Merchandising Senior Manager is responsible for her/his assigned category in the different channels in Japan and Islands (Retail/ E-commerce). She/He will take care of all the activity with Omnichannel mindset (Buying, Network/Distribution, Markdown) to ensure the full potential performance as well as cross-functional cooperation with other departments to achieve the regional target and Sell-Through results.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Buying and allocation:

• Implement and translate the WW buying strategy at regional level based on market's specificities/priorities
• 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, precious skin, caravans..)
• 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, re-stylings, closures, events...
• In season analysis and strategy proposal to optimize assortments by store
• Manage the stock in the Region across different channels (Retail-Ecom)
• Rationalize and monitor stores' assortment (Newness vs Carryover)
• Define the rules for stock distribution of Newness & Carry Over (Launch and in-season stock transfer)
• Work on reorders to take from Corporate Bulk or from other regions
• Work with Corporate Merchandising team in the development and execution of merchandise assortment and buying
• Conduct product training for relevant regional functions including store team before the launch of new season

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
• Collect and share qualitative comments on business to Corporate Merchandising counterparts
• 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 periodical feedback to the Corporate Team
• Monitor sales performance and activate tactical needs accordingly
• Analyze stock level, delivery status and merchandise allocation to identify growth opportunities

Store Visits:

• Conduct regular store visits (Miu Miu & competitors) based on business needs
• Help to clarify assortments and product buying strategies to store teams (Newness & Carry Over)
• Help to highlight key product information to store teams already communicated in order to emphasize their importance
• Participate and collaborate with the Local Team to secure product knowledge in stores
• Work closely with VM and ROP, spend time in stores and closely monitor the clientele behavior 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 regional Controlling team to ensure the potential opportunity
• Evaluate sales potential by event/store to define the OTB split at category level
• 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 VM and ROP based on business needs to boost store 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 proposal 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 strategies that will benefit the business

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Experience in retail environment with hands-on knowledge of retail processes and procedures

Strong accuracy & precision for analytical abilities

Experience in using Excel and BI tools to monitor performance and KPIs

Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in Japanese and English

Collaborative skills to work cross-functionally in a team environment

Availability to travel

Joining our Company means working in a creative and international environment, with teams of people motivated by curiosity and the quest for excellence. The engine of our success is the importance and value that we place on the talent and passion of our people leading to their own professional growth.
Prada Group promotes an inclusive work environment, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics. We believe that diversity is a value and we are committed to build a fair and respectful workplace for all.