Key Accountabilities:

• Develop annual merchandise strategies and targets, EBIT and business development plans to deliver company, regional and branch level plans
• Generate and pursue ideas for lucrative business opportunities and partnerships (divergent or similar) to increase revenue streams and maximize revenue
• Partner with Consumer Finance to influence the Credit Mix by product category
• Partner with Logistics to align the supply chain, including planning of inbound shipments, and pushing products to the branch network
• Develop a sustainable value proposition that communicate and enhance the Unicomer brand and clearly differentiates around core company competencies.
• Creates and analyses tools and business metrics that provide lead and lag measures on performance and competitive position to initiate actions that mitigate threats, improve performance, position for growth and maximize revenues
• Effectively lead, motivate and develop the merchandise team towards a common goal and effective performance to achieve business objectives
• Partner with Regional Merchandise team to develop the technical competencies of the merchandise team to increase sales, optimize product mix and improve profitability
• Examine and develop plans in collaboration with Regional visual merchandising team and country sales team to enhance merchandise displays and store layouts including solutions for new product categories
• In collaboration with the Regional Merchandise team and Director of Sales, develop and sign off merchandise allocation by category and branch
• Ensuring that our online offering includes our assortment and new product categories, supported with rich content to enhance the customer experience
• Collaborate with regional marketing team to develop effective marketing and promotional campaigns that drive company performance and support company strategic objectives. This includes negotiation and execution of vendor supported promotions.
• Articulate and drive brands/range tactical marketing support required to anticipate and respond strategically and tactically to the competitive landscape
• Collaborate with Regional/Corporate Merchandising to develop country range plans and product assortment and ensue that local ranges deliver financial targets, and optimize the productivity (GMROI and GMROF for each branchDevelop detailed demand plans by channel and location. Approve and sign off on plans which will drive the replenishment/ reordering plan and negotiate as appropriate with regional as it relates to OTB and sensible business risks.

JOB SPECIFICATION:

Qualification/Education and Experience:

• Graduate Degree, preferably in Marketing or other relevant business-related discipline.
• Minimum five years proven track record in a senior leadership role in a medium to large retail operation

• Strategic sales planning including forecasting and market analysis in a retail environment.
• Well-developed commercialization skills.
• Familiar with supply chain management techniques particularly demand planning, inventory control and product life cycle management.
• Results and customer-focused
• Influencing and negotiation skills
• Business and financial acumen; commercial awareness
• Collaborative and interpersonal skills to be effective in a matrix organization