Raj Kumar Email & Phone Number

Kuwait

Kuwait

• Manage & lead a team of merchandise planners ensuring optimal performance & compliance with company goals & objectives• Negotiate & liaise financial strategies with internal & external parties to lead to better cohesiveness & improved outputs• Analyze historical data & foresee ongoing market trends to strategize & execute range planning• Sourcing pertinent suppliers to procure specialty goods required for the middle eastern cultural trends• Negotiate purchase targets with prime vendors & achieve optimal rebate rates• Analyze merchandise performance on a departmental level to forecast inventory replenishment & identify opportunities to maximize sales volumes in four markets across the Middle East• Plan markdowns & execute liquidation plans for overstocked & ageing merchandise • Liaise & collaborate with marketing & ecommerce teams on product information to be listed for promotional campaigns• Continual persistent analysis of competition in the local & regional markets including but not limited to product launches, promotions & expansions

Kuwait

• Develop pricing strategy & monitor margins on existing merchandise • Establish product costing for new & repeat orders• Research & source new vendors for assigned product category & follow up on new developments, working closely with the buying division• Review monthly vendor open-to-buy reports, track repeat orders, develop strategies to refine the business to meet financial goals• Prepare & communicate daily, monthly & yearly sales reports while ensuring sales targets are being achieved • Monitor performance of best sellers & always ensure optimal stock utilizing opportunity to maximize profitability• Manage custom orders for customers & bulk order requirements of office furniture for Tendering & Projects department• Provide product training & ensure scheduled display of merchandise, working closely with visual merchandisers on compliance to display concepts across Midas showrooms in the ME• Liaise with vendors to resolve customer complaints, damage claims & spare parts requirement ensuring minimal stock loss

Kuwait

• Research new trends & advances in assigned categories to evolve the product lines & depth• Create weekly top seller report to ensure that management & merchandising departments are informed of business status & trends• Determine departmental markdown recommendations on aged inventories & SKUs with low ST%• Execute accurate product costing & pricing for four different markets across Middle East• Assist merchandisers in analyzing daily, weekly, & monthly sales to ensure optimal inventory levels are maintained • Liaise with vendors on new orders & new developments in collaboration with buying team & senior merchandisers while ensuring article creation, product photos & purchase orders are up to date in the system• Ensure vendors are adhering to company’s policies, QC requirements, packing instructions, shipping, & documentation process• Maintain material data & samples of fabrics/material are organized for ease of access during product developments & for future reference• Partner with vendors to update & monitor production lead time & shipping reports. Surface any difficulties with production time or delivery to the seniors• Monitor merchandise across different regions & stores to allocate or consolidate stock in accordance with performance to maximize sales• Perform data entry, filing, copying & other related tasks in the merchandising processes

• Recommend & implement improvements to purchasing procedures for operational efficiency• Maintain superior level of accuracy while reviewing documents, creating articles & purchase orders based on management’s directions• Liaise with warehousing department & vendors for new orders, lead time & upon shipment arrival to identify & resolve damaged & missing items related claims• Collaborate with various freight brokers to negotiate & ensure best services at best rates• Resolve delivery, payments & invoice related queries• Perform support functions to the finance department in terms of creating payment request & follow ups with various financial institutions• Organize documentation & tracking information for confirmed orders, shipment arrivals & delivery creating ease of access to several departments

Master'S Degree, Retailing And Retail Operations

Bachelor'S Degree, Business Administration And Management, General

Education record