Position Overview

Manage and nurture a mutually profitable business relationship in conjunction with Specialty Ae Teamthat supports Childrens. Key focus to include:*Develop and implement financial business plan for territory by account*On-board new accounts and follow end to end steps to ensure timely set-up*Interface with the Planning team to ensure seasonal assortment plans meet the business objectives and needs for each account in collaboration with Buyer. *Ensure high level of professional and proactive communication with all levels account management structure to drive business towards plan achievement*Gather, enter and distribute weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales figures as available*Collaborate on integrated marketing plans (Capital, Advertising, Collateral) by account

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement financial business plan for territory by account
• Interface with the Planning team to ensure seasonal assortment plans meet the business objectives and needs for each account in collaboration with Buyer.
• Ensure high level of professional and proactive communication with all levels account management structure to drive business towards plan achievement
• Partner with Retail Development teams to ensure effective execution of retail merchandising and sales strategy for each account
• Gather, enter and distribute weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales figures
• Collaborate on integrated marketing plans (Capital, Advertising, Collateral) by account Business Analysis and Strategy Planning:
• Propose, negotiate and finalize seasonal Sales and Receipt plans by account by door
• Develop seasonal Financial flow worksheet for each account incorporating product flow within parameters of account financial objectives for sales, turn and margin.
• Review and communicate competition and product trend to Merchandising and Planning departments (i.e. brand, class, key item) via monthly competition recap report
• Manage in-season business for each account via monthly update and review of rolling 12 Month Financial plans. Develop and implement strategies necessary to achieve plan
• Provide input to VP Sales on management of seasonal MD strategy
• Review and discuss Financial and Brand/Class market share analysis highlighting product and sales opportunities for each account (by region/door)
• Gather, enter and distribute weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales figures
• Input data for business analysis – i.e performance tracker, flow analysis, business reviews
• Assist in clerical preparation for all management meetings and corporate account recaps
• Organize and print all weekly recaps for senior management review
• Analyze classification sales and stock levels to realize opportunities for growth
• Analyze and develop seasonal strategy to achieve accounts’ profitability objective for PRL
• Provide input to VP of Sales and Marketing on development of targeted and effective Retail Marketing plans by account

Retail Analysis and Assortment Planning

• Prepare, report and maintain Account Profiles (by door)
• Review and advise Planning on seasonal assortment plan development and scorecards
• Execute final seasonal assortment plan presentation and confirmation during Line Opening

Account Management and Communication:

• Attend weekly conference calls with Regional Directors, Shop Managers, & Coordinators
• Schedule, prepare, conduct and document Monthly Business Review with VP Sales and Account Management. Topics to include:
  • Sales/Stock/Competition trend analysis and recommendation
  • Markdown strategy plan for future month(s)
  • Shop Evaluation Recap and Staffing Plan Status review

• Coordinate and present management meetings (seasonally) to include:
  • Scheduling meeting and internal pre-meets
  • Producing management meeting books
  • Recapping discussion
  • Execution of follow through

• Travel to all stores to have an understanding of business needs:
  • Focus on reviewing Assortment content, market share trends, overall stock issues (inclusive of BSR) and overall retail execution
  • Support Regional Account Team by reviewing visit findings with account management

• Resolve all issues (i.e. Unauthorized Promos, BSR holes)
  on a proactive basis
• Assist Account Services in effective management of monthly receipt flow and order
  fulfillment
  • Partner with Account Services to identify in season re-order opportunities

Capital Planning:

• Develop and enter all Capital projects into seasonal plan
• Evaluate and justify ROI to RL internal management review
• Coordinate and conduct presentation, negotiation and finalization of Capital plans with Account management
• Analyze and manage productivity of space/increase sales per foot

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Relationship experience at the Buyer/Planner level within department stores, and generally strong relationship building skills.
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Strong analytical skills and high level of expertise in managing assortments, margins, mark up, sell-thru’s
• Knowledge of competitive landscape and brands
• Proficient in Retail Math, Excel, Microsoft Office