Sr. Manager, Merchandise, DTCR

Job Purpose

A key executive in driving success of Direct-to-consumer Retail (DTCR) China, ie. The B&M Disney Store and Ecommerce Disney Stores marketplaces.

Lead the Buying and Planning to select and manage the purchase and intake of stock to maximize sales and margin to achieve all targets.

Establish and executes the merchandise assortment plans and strategies to support the overall merchandising goal of the brand. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead accountability for overall buying strategy, planning, execution, sales & margin targets of all product categories for DTCR China
• Key contact with Disney O&O team to create a vision for the DTCR China and provide market input into local product development team to support development of ranges to meet AOP
• Oversee all channel pricing strategy, monitor and control inventory at healthy stage
• Maximize leverage on merchandise & planning expertise, knowledge and assets across teams, leading DTCR merchandise strategy and accomplish with team collaborations

Planning:

• Plan, manage and communicate seasonal / thematic product events from initial concept to exit strategy
• Analyze sales trends, consumer’s online shopping behavior and competitor analysis to ensure optimal mix of products and well-constructed ranges
• Present range plans, forecasts and strategies in key meetings including sales, margin and inventory at the category, franchise, style level
• Develop and execute financial OTB plans by segment, by category and by franchise, that support merchandising decision, marketing and financial objectives of overall DTCR China
• Partner with in-season insights and finance to create & communicate a deep understanding of DTCR China guests in order to proactively and dynamically refine purchasing and assortment planning decision and predict and plan for opportunities

Trading & Performance Optimization

• Forecast sales, margin and inventory levels on promotions & categories to maximize profitability and ensure appropriate stock levels.
• Analysis sales result (department and category level), conduct sales and inventory forecast on weekly, monthly and quarterly basis incorporating learnings into future buy periods.
• Lead range reviews by segment, by category and by franchise trading reviews
• Track and manage on-order in partnership with Production and Sourcing. Develop and manage exit strategy of slow-moving merchandise, and minimize residual inventory
• Initiate changes to forward commitments and promotional plan to maximize profits and minimize markdown
• Lead new retail opportunities and expand our physical touchpoints while improving profitability

Merchandising

• Build DTCR China overall merchandise strategy to leading the toy industry
• Build DTCR China IP/Franchise strategy, build DTCR China hero characters
• Build DTCR China assortment strategy, leading the innovation on local development with new consumer trend
• Build DTCR China Category strategy, build up the second lead category out of plush
• Build DTCR pricing strategy to make consistency through all ranges and channels.
• Responsible for successful implementation of strategy plans including product initiatives, promotions, in store events designed to maximize sell though of products.
• Adhere to all SOPs to comply with company policies and procedures and employment laws.

Collaboration

• Proactively create and review all Buying and Planning processes making suggestions for improvements and collaborating with DTCR team for implementation
• Partner with marketing to develop and implement marketing calendars that link sales and marketing initiatives across all shopDisney businesses and channels
• Lead Buy review and signoff process
• Liase with sourcing on delivery logistics to manage re-buys and cancellations
• Communicate financial performance, forecast and action plan to E-Commerce team and respective stakeholders in weekly basis

Working Relationships

Team player and collaborator. Ability to collaborate successfully and lead multiple projects and teams, in matrix and multinational organization

• Internal
  • O&O merchandise team
  • Finance and Insights
  • Marketing &Operation & Logistics
  • Channels
  • APAC merchandise
  • Creative team

• External
  • APAC regional cross-labs
  • Licensees
  • Suppliers/ Vendors

Requirements

Education:

• Relevant degree in related field in top university; master degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in retail merchandising and planning, inventory management.
• Proven experience working in branded consumer environments with an appreciation of eCommerce business critical
• Proven track record in managing and implementing merchandising & planning in Mainland China
• Proven experience in eCommerce merchandise planning
• Proven experience working cross-functionally and managing a team
• Proven experience in working in dynamic, cross-cultural team

Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of retail behaviour, trends and strategy

• Financial savvy: ability to evaluate financial and business indicators
• Analytical skills: able to analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative sales data, particularly in retail math
• Strong understanding of brick and mortar retail and E-Commerce platforms and consumer goods shopping behavior

Core Skills:

• Focus on financial success with ability to formulate strategies based on market needs and the Company goals
• Excellent analytical, commercial and strategic approaches to problem solving. strong experience interpreting test results & drawing conclusions. Exposure to relevant analytical and data management systems and reporting types. Highly numerate with excellent Excel skills
• Strong influencing skills with the ability to achieve buy-in at all levels, especially with peers and leadership team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Must be motivated, highly organized, flexible and results oriented. Have high sense of energy and service orientation to meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment
• Strong planning and execution skills: able to multitask or manage several projects concurrently with minimum supervision
• Demonstrated strong business judgment and decision-making skills; ability to identify, prioritize, and articulate highest impact initiatives
• Demonstrable creative thinking, with a passion for delivering the best Disney/Pixar/Star Wars/Marvel product and services