AppuGhar - GM - Merchandising

Job Content:

- To realise Appu Ghar’s highly ambitious and aggressive expansion plan, the company is currently looking for a proactive, commercially focused and profit driven DGM of Merchandise. You will have the exciting opportunity as part of the Appu Ghar’s leadership team to spearhead the merchandise business at one of the most successful Entertainment Companies in India. This role demands a leader who is able to formulate the overall vision, develop a concrete business plan and successfully execute the defined strategy to achieve both short term and long term targets.

Job Accountability and Responsibilities:

Sourcing

- Leads the category team in formulating an assortment strategy that is consistent with overall company merchandise strategy.

- Leverage a trusted network of vendors who are able to deliver on high quality and economical novelty product types.

- Guide junior merchandisers in sourcing different types of products from Indian and International manufactures in various industries.

- Identifying production and supply difficulties and dealing with any problems or delays as they arise

- Act as a company representative in global trade fairs.

- Ensure that all components of the strategy are linked and consistent

- Aligns category strategy to division-specific merchandise initiatives.

Distribution

- Able to develop a multipronged approach to distribution of merchandise through retail outlets, ecommerce platform and franchisee model

- Defines and leads the strategic development and execution of the key business drivers for the category (key brands, items and stores).

- Manages the proper execution of the strategy to the division and location level; takes appropriate action when necessary.

- Drives and executes the brands’ floor space planning and allocation for all key locations.

- Planning product ranges and preparing sales and stock plans in conjunction with buyers, analysts, stores, suppliers and distributors to complete the entire supply chain.

- Working closely with visual display staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximise customer interest and sales;

- Able to work with ecommerce team on launching viable online business model

- Partner with 3rd party online vendors to distribute our branded products

Financial

- Accountable for achieving financial results and ensuring the profitability of those categories.

- Delivers category sales, gross margin and turnover performance to plan.

Develops financial objectives and targets for the team that focus on category and brand growth and profitability.

- Aligns category financial plans to tops-down division budgets and division-specific merchandise initiatives.

- Leads resolution of any financial plan disconnects with brands or divisions.

Identifies and evaluates sales and gross margin opportunities at the department, division and location level.

- Forecasting profits and sales, and optimizing the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas;

- Planning budgets and presenting sales forecasts and figures for new ranges;

- Generate sales statistics, produce sales projections and present spreadsheets and graphs that analyze every aspect of bestsellers (for example, the bestselling price points, colours or styles) and ensuring that bestsellers reach their full potential;

- Ensures the profitability of the merchandise and drives expansion of the category.

- Considers all relevant issues affecting market penetration, revenue generation and commercial viability of new products.

- Makes balanced risk-decisions based on objectives and parameters for success in selecting merchandise.

- Drives expansion of the category. Establishes and/or maintains positive vendor relationships relative to the category.

- Uses fact based approach in negotiating with vendors, utilizing vendor-supplied facts to facilitate decision-making and agreement.

Leadership

- Identifies, recruits, and develops their merchant team including Merchandise Manager(s) and their direct reports.

- Encourages and supports the development of our talented people. Offers honest and constructive feedback to direct reports and business partners fostering individual and group development.

- Continuously stretches the Team to perform at higher level keeping each Team member focused on the business strategy, plan and opportunities.

- Manages the overall performance of all team members developing and recognizing the top talent and addressing the performance of team members with developmental areas.

- Drives and manages organizational change in the category and supports organizational initiatives

- Provide guidance to Merchants, Associate and/or Assistant Merchants including: assortment choices and rankings, potential voids in line, ticket and promotional pricing, in store merchandising, and Associate training tools

Required Qualifications:

- MBA from a reputed institution is a must with strong analytical and marketing skills

- Must have at least 15 years experience in merchandising/retailing industry with 5 years in a leadership role.

- Global business experience preferred

Required Skills:

Thinks Strategically

- Develops clear and consistent strategies to achieve the stated business goals

- Leverages synergy opportunities across functions and businesses

- Makes sound business decisions that balance competing and/or multiple priorities

- Identifies key business opportunities and challenges

Drives Results

- Successful track record for high volume business growth and bottom line results

- Translates strategy into specific priorities, objectives, and action plans

- Manages projects, processes and resources to produce desired outcomes

- Analyzes problems effectively and takes action to resolve

- Achievement oriented with solid management experience and demonstrated leadership ability

- True entrepreneurial risk mentality, strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

Champions Change

- Inspires Creativity and Innovation

- Facilitates the exchange of ideas and creation of new ones

- Transfers ideas and successes across boundaries

- Ability to innovate change through visionary thinking and strategic management

- Fast and agile with strong change management skills

- Supports new initiatives

- Demonstrates flexibility in response to changes (both internal and competitively)

Builds Relationships and Teams

- Engages colleagues across the organization to optimize performance

- Manages the needs of diverse stakeholders

- Facilitates win-win situations

- Provides appropriate direction, resources and environment needed for success

- Proactively recruits, retains and develops a diverse range of talented people

- Recognises and rewards the achievements of others

- Strengthens others through mentoring and feedback

- Supports productivity and morale of the team

- Exceptional ability to bridge and enhance cooperative working relationships

- Ability to lead and inspire with unquestionable integrity and trust

- Proven ability to identify, develop and retain top talent

- Proven leadership in a multi-cultural work environment

- Able to lead teams through ambiguity and change

Communicates Effectively

- Obtains full engagement through inspiring communications

- Provides appropriate rationale and context to drive commitment

- Tailors messages appropriately to the audience

- Distills complex plans into focused presentations that are clearly and succinctly delivered

- Strong communication, presentation, negotiating and influencing skills

Exhibits Professional Excellence

- Pursues excellence with integrity, passion and courage

- Strives for self-improvement

- Earns the trust and respect of colleagues, partners and customers

About Us

30 years ago, IAL has established itself as the pioneers in entertainment by setting up India’s first amusement called Appu Ghar and water park called Oysters. Subsequently the company launched Adventure Island amusement park and the Metro Walk shopping arcade in New Delhi. Sprawling across 150 acres in Noida, the company has built in phases Worlds of Wonder amusement and water park as well as a million square foot shopping mall called The Great India Place. The company will soon re-launch its flagship brand, Appu Ghar in Gurgaon where a waterpark will shortly commence operations, thereafter a million square feet indoor amusement park. IAL is also in the process of developing 300 acres in Jaipur which will house a 9 hole golf course, villas, amusement park, adventure park and various other entertainment related concepts. As it re-launches the flagship brand, it is building a branded merchandise business focused on delivering high quality yet affordable products ranging from traditional novelties and souvenirs to children’s stationary, home decorations, fashion jewelry to swimwear and accessories. The merchandise aims convert its 5000 park visitors a day into shoppers who fall in love with not only amusement parks but also its merchandise which they can take back with them to cherish their memories at the destinations.