Marks and Spencer - Chief Manager - Buying & Merchandising - Menswear

Job Purpose :

- Develop the business unit range plans (bottom up Sales and buy plan business unit wise, department wise, range wise by phase). Plan to include margin targets

- Create Net Margin action plan with clear timelines to deliver the targeted net Margins at business unit and department level with increased gross Margins, cost savings and COR management.

- Manage catalog variation between Tier I and Tier II

Key Deliverables (Essential functions & Responsibilities of the Job) :

- To work with the General Manager Buying & Merchandising to ensure that relevant market risks, opportunities and fashion trends are taken into account for the development of the Business Unit financial plans

- To work with designer, sourcing team and UK Buying team to develop product briefs in line with the Business Unit Strategy

- To create structured ranges for each grade and type of stores that will give the best possible choice to the customer while delivering the required returns per square foot

- To accurately phase sales, stock, margin and intake plans and projections for the department by week, taking into account new store openings and prevailing market trends

- Through pro-active trading to take balanced risks and opportunities that will maximize profitability

- Maintain a direct and positive working relationship with other business functions like trading, supply chain, retail team

- Effective communication and planning between merchandisers, marketing and retail Team to ensure we deliver on brand promise through the customer experience

- Have clear job profiles and accountabilities and objectives for each role in the structure whilst always identifying and implementing opportunities to drive operational efficiency

- Set clear objectives for your team around sales, service, standards, people and costs supported with the correct resource, training, budgets and management information and manage performance in line with the M&S performance management process to improve overall capability

- Ensuring all third party suppliers have a clear contract in place with a clear service level agreement which adheres to our corporate social responsibility principles. Ensure each contact is measured to ensure value for money and compliance of our terms of business

- Promote the M&S brand values and ensure company policy and procedures are followed; including behavior set out in the M&S Code of Ethics and ensure the business complies with all relevant legislation, regulation and good corporate governance strategy

Skills required :

- Functional knowledge of MS Office with proficiency in MS Excel

- Good Communication skills

- Interpersonal skills

- Effective time management

- Learning agility

- Financial & analytical skills