Dennis De Groot Email & Phone Number

Merchandising is a vital role in retail by managing product, selection, pricing and presentation to maximize sales and profitability. This includes the following main tasks :* Identifying (market) trends, researching customer preferences and collaborating with cross functional teams as well as field teams are fundamental to gain a broader understanding of the demand. * Monitoring inventory levels, anticipating on true demand and coordinating both internally and externally to ensure timely restocking while minimizing overstock or understock situations. * In order to maximize sales, creating visually appealing displays, arranging products and implementing store layouts to attract customers and enhance the overall shopping experience. * Close collaboration between cross functional teams such as marketing, sales and operations to align merchandise strategies with overall business objectives . * Tracking sales performance, evaluating the success of promotions or campaigns and using valuable data to make informed decisions about future strategies. * Staying updated on industry trends, consumer behavior and competitor activities to anticipate market shifts and adjust strategies accordingly. * Developing sales forecasts, budgeting and planning for upcoming seasons or promotional periods to optimize inventory and sales opportunities. * Effectively communicating merchandising strategies, sales trends and inventory needs to internal teams and stakeholders.

The Buyers main function is to build product lines in tune with divisional merchandise strategies that generate targeted sales, profit and liquidation levels. * The identification of sports/fashion trends, regular communication with Field team, and regular market visits are key elements to build a successful product range. * Negotiations with vendors on quantity, delivery deadlines and price are fundamental aspects of the job, geared towards maximizing the company’s profits and surpassing margin goals. * One of the key buyer responsibilities is to establish effective working relationships with vendors to strengthen business and support company strategies.

* Manage the execution of the stores assortment plans.* Manage the optimal balancing of merchandise inventories by store.* Establish strategic guidelines for writing purchase orders to fill customer’s by-size inventory needs in the stores. Set standards to ensure the allocation team executes against these guidelines.* Partner with the Director, Logistics and Director, Planning to set the strategic guidelines on multi-distribution center deliveries, cross-docking and bin/case lot processes for their division. Set standards to ensure the allocation team executes against these guidelines.* Review weekly performance by country and by style & category with Merchandisers Buyers and Planners against plan & forecast. Pursue in season objectives and opportunities.* Partner with Operations team to establish communication protocols between the allocation and field organizations. Ensure the respective teams follow the protocols.* Assist Vice President Allocation to develop productive working relationship between the planning, buying and allocation roles.* Lead the allocation team by ensuring resources and processes are in place to facilitate their success. Train, motivate and develop the team to ensure performance and growth within the department.* Partner with HR to fill allocation roles with associates who have the talents, motivation and skills that promote success.

The Buyers main function is to build product lines in tune with divisional merchandise strategies that generate targeted sales, profit and liquidation levels. *The identification of sports/fashion trends, regular communication with Field team, and regular market visits are key elements to build a successful product range. *Negotiations with vendors on quantity, delivery deadlines and price are fundamental aspects of the job, geared towards maximizing the company’s profits and surpassing margin goals. *One of the key buyer responsibilities is to establish effective working relationships with vendors to strengthen business and support company strategies.

Netherlands

• Train, motivate and develop team to ensure effective performance and growth through consistent on-the-job training.• Identify country specific trends through statistical analysis, media publications, market visits, national and local sporting news, competitors and periodic product review from Field Team.• Compile and analyze product / location past performance data. Identify missed opportunities.• Develop location assortment plans by department by category based on trend, store profiles, Buyer input and seasonal conversion.• Reconcile assortment plan to financial plan with Planner.• Create and forecast key item plans.• Ensure assortment guidelines correspond with financial plans and merchandise strategy.• Create unit buy plans by month that support financial plan.• Determine minimum units per style by store or store cluster for initial stock out.• Determine demographic issues by country/region and partner with the Buyer and store management on potential merchandise adjustments.• Create and update size profiles by store for new and replenishment skus. Ensure size quantities are correct by store profile.• Create/edit purchase orders within set deadlines. Submit to Planner for approval.• Review weekly performance by country by style and category (super-category) with Merchandiser and Buyer against plan and forecast – pursue in-season objectives and opportunities.• Make recommendations to Buyer and Planner on Sku actions. (promotions, marketing, markdowns, cancellations). Discuss exit strategy with Buyer and Planner.• Maintain collaborative partnership and communicate effectively with internal colleagues.