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
