Category Manager - Innerwear

The role is responsible for the overall product management for the Innerwear) categories of the Lee / Wrangler Brand in India.

He / She is required to formulate the category Line Plan, adhere to cost and margin forecast, monitor manufacturing, define retail pricing and interpret sell through data. The role needs to partner closely with the design, business and sourcing teams for overall success of the brand.

Previous innerwear experience with a leading Men's innerwear brand in a similar position is mandatory. Experience In managing innerwear as a brand extension would be an added advantage. The position is for Menswear to start with.

Job Role:

- Ownership of the entire category, launch plan and calendar

- Prepare seasonal line plan in line with cost, pricing and margin targets

- Develop, monitor & implement Core product line.

- Serves as liaison between Design, Business, Marketing, and Sourcing to ensure successful execution of category action plans

- Resolve sample & product related manufacturing issues with quality & manufacturing team.

- Category Gap analysis / Competition mapping.

- Sell Through Analysis & feedback to design

- Demonstrate ability to build strategic partnerships across the organization and with vendors

- Monitor the entire product development calendar

- Sales Meetings - Ensure salesman sample availability, range presentation to key buyers, catalogue, order form etc.

- ERP - Ensure timely creation of master data on ERP system

- Pricing - Setting the optimum price points based on market / competition analysis, consumer insights and margin targets.

Requirements:

- Min 6 -10 years or above relevant working experiences in merchandising / category management ; experience in leading multinational companies and previous exposure to Innerwear brand extension business is an added advantage

- Min 5 years of Innerwear category management experience, preferably casual

- Bachelor's / Master's degree, preferably in Fashion Management

- Fashion flair with good knowledge of fabric, finish, fit and garment construction

- Good presentation and strong communication skills both in written and spoken English

- Creative with strong sense of style and understanding of fashion

- Result oriented team player with good project management skills

- Strong in Excel, PowerPoint. Knowledge of ERP and creative software Adobe Illustrator, Corel etc.