Senior Merchandiser

Hunkemöller • Deerfield, IL

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

Hunkemöller is looking for a highly analytical, commercial and proactive Senior Merchandiser / Planner to join our dynamic Merchandising function. Working in close partnership with the Buyer, you will have end-to-end commercial ownership of your department, shaping and delivering the assortment strategy to achieve sales growth, stock efficiency, markdown control and profitability across all channels. Hunkemöller’s mission is to be a much loved, social and inclusive brand - powered by our people. We have over 900 stores in 15 countries and we are growing. Our plans to expand both in Europe and beyond provide exceptional opportunities for those with a passion for retail. Indeed, passion is one our six values: fun, inclusive, passionate, sexy, in-touch and inspiring. These values drive all we do and together with our growing commitment to the well-being of people, planet and communities, we are building a brand aligned to the demands of our global customers and those that work with us. Our USPs are many however, at the heart of what makes us special is a commitment to World-Class service, whatever the channel and wherever the store. This commitment extends to how we work with each other and creating a World-Class working environment. Hunkemöller is certified TOP EMPLOYER of the Netherlands (for the third time in a row) & Germany 2020, which underlines our people initiatives and achievements.

Requirements

• Has at least 5 years’ experience in Merchandising / Planning within a fast paced fashion retail environment
• Demonstrates strong commercial acumen, with excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Confident working with commercial and BI tools (e.g. SAP BW, MicroStrategy, Business Objects), with intermediate advanced Excel/Office skills
• Comfortable owning complex data, driving insight and influencing decisions at senior level
• Enjoys working collaboratively and building strong cross functional relationships
• Passionate about fashion retail and thrives in a dynamic, energetic environment
• Fluent in English, written and spoken

Responsibilities

• Product Strategy & Range Planning Develop and own the Departmental product and assortment strategy in close collaboration with Buying and Design Build balanced, customer relevant collections aligned to brand strategy, market insights and commercial objectives Define and own the Department’s merchandise framework, including option plan, width and depth, pricing, colour and trend direction
• Financial Planning & WSSI Ownership Accountable for the commercial planning of the Department, including annual, halfyear and quarterly plans Own and govern the WSSI, ensuring accurate forecasting, reforecasting and forward visibility of sales, stock, intake, markdown and profitability Present clear, detailed insights, risks and opportunities to the Leadership Team as required
• Stock, OTB & InSeason Trading Plan and manage departmental stock levels across all customer touchpoints: Own Stores, Own Ecommerce and Concession partners Own OpentoBuy management and inseason trading, proactively identifying and acting on risks and opportunities to maximize sales and margin Lead markdown, promotional and exit strategies, including identifying, costing and presenting recommendations to Senior Management Drive actions to reduce terminal stock and improve stock health
• Range Architecture, Sizing & Distribution Own option, width and depth decisions, informed by historical performance, store space, channel needs and company strategy Optimise the Department’s sizing strategy, reflecting differences across countries, product shapes and market opportunities Collaborate closely with Branch Merchandising to ensure distribution strategies maximise opportunity across store formats, grades and segments
• Trading, Analysis & Performance Management Lead weekly trading analysis, running and interpreting sales, stock and intake reports to drive clear trading actions Maintain a strong grip on commercial levers in all trading scenarios, balancing growth, stock risk and profitability Review forward commitments against current performance, taking decisive action to maximise opportunities and mitigate risk
• Leadership, Development & Ways of Working Lead, coach and develop the Assistant Merchandiser and MAA, providing clear direction on daily, weekly and longer-term priorities Identify and drive individual development plans in partnership with L&D and your line manager Actively drive continuous improvement, introducing smarter ways of working, planning and reporting and seeing these through to implementation
• Projects & Cross Functional Collaboration Work closely with key stakeholders across Buying, Design, Finance, Supply Chain, Branch Merchandising and Ecommerce Participate in wider business projects as required

Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave, with the option to buy or sell up to 4 additional days
• Hybrid work model, combining office and remote working
• Possibility to work from abroad for up to 2 weeks per year
• An international work environment, working with teams across different countries
• Travel allowance to support commuting costs
• Access to the Hunkemöller Academy for professional development
• 25% employee discount on all Hunkemöller products

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees