Merchandising Manager, Calvin Klein Asia Pacific

POSITION SUMMARY:

Build, develop and manage best-in-class product strategies, business processes and merchandising organization that lead to the successful and sustainable development of the Calvin Klein in the Asia Pacific region.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES OF THE JOB:

• Develop Asia Pacific merchandise plan by understanding future trends, analyzing current business and collecting feedback from directly operated and distribution countries.
• Keep relevant departments & affiliated offices informed of key global product initiatives. Liaise with involved parties to ensure those initiatives are launched according to agreed plan.
• In partnership with Global & Asia Design Teams, identify potential gaps in the line plan, make recommendations for improving the assortment for the market.
• Review seasonal assortments (collections) relative to the merchandise plan and ensure they can meet company targets.
• Monitor yearly and seasonal budgets and inventory plan by country.
• Responsible for preparing market presentations with line and product direction, style assortments and pricing.
• Review sell-in and sell-through on a regional and country level. Monitor and analyze sales performance & inventory levels by market.
• Provides core and seasonal product knowledge support to Retail Operations to drive sales and service and generate excitement within our retail channels.
• Communicates closely with Retail Operations, wholesale and franchisee partners and other stakeholders to continually understand buying trends, developments amongst competitors, consumer insights, etc.
• Lead team members in all cross functions toward business and profitability objectives; monitor progress against objectives and define strategies to correct problems as they arise.
• Drives continuous improvement of Merchandising systems and processes (sales and sell-through analysis; OTB management; sales modeling and forecasting; hindsight studies; style and size analysis; competitive/market intelligence; pricing research) to optimize the business.
• Lead and communicate effectively with a team of merchandisers at varying levels, responsible for team building, coaching, and training.
• Build a high performing team through development of talent; create individual and team goals based on performance metrics; monitor performance and give clear and frequent feedback.
• Anticipate and plan for future business/organizational needs.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum 10 years all-rounded merchandising experience, with at least 5 years in managerial role in retail industry
• Previous working experience in Apparel is definitely an advantage.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor degree required, preferred in fashion or business related discipline

SKILLS:

• Solid understanding of retail buying and the product creation process
• Strong commercial sense and knowledge of consumer/fashion trends
• Intense interest in fashion branding / retailing
• Creative, visionary and able to clearly articulate product point-of-view
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Collaborative with ability to work across functions and in concert with region and
• Global counterparts
• Excellent people and process management skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Able to travel at least 30% of the time.