Regional Buying Manager – Optical (Trinidad)

The Regional Buying Manager – Optical assists the Corporate Optical Business Unit with developing and growing profitable market share. The incumbent will collaborate with regional teams to achieve merchandise rotation, margin targets, and deliver key projects.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain all Optical product categories to ensure that the country has the right merchandise to achieve sales, gross margin budgets, and market share and customer service objectives in accordance with strategic and financial objectives.
• Conduct monthly commercial analysis of the cost and pricing of products in each country to understand and improve the optical product offer.
• Develop regional range plans and annual sales plans by SKU to achieve financial and market share objectives.
• Review monthly sales plans and rotations utilizing the management system to maximize stock availability and improve stock management through accurate product forecasting.
• Monitor aged stock, slow moving stock and discontinued lines and make recommendations in line with the Company target by product category, and work within monthly parameters to initiate any forecast amendments to assist in achieving stock targets.
• Review weekly merchandise trends and recommend sales and marketing initiatives to ensure budgeted sales are achieved.
• Review and approve product costing and pricing in line with specific guidelines to ensure product margins are maintained.
• Create and approve product briefs for agreed product advertisements, including product nominations and pricing and provides weekly sales analyses with recommendations for achieving budgeted sales.
• Produce and support with analysis of the key Optical Business reports weekly and monthly for various stakeholders (local and regional).
• Report periodically Optical merchandise results for Board meetings for Corporate Optical Director
• Develop new merchandise and Optical information systems in consultation with the Regional Buying Manager to facilitate accurate information to improve operational efficiencies including sales appointments, Optometrists scheduling and stock management.
• Assist in reviewing Regional Optical product categories for the region.
• Prepare and review Regional Optical monthly reports, including but not limited to merchandise reports, lens reports, contact lens reports, frame reports and productivity reports.

• Perform any other related duties that may be assigned by any member of line management.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing or related discipline.

REQUIRED SKILLS / EXPERIENCE:

• At least four (4) years proven track record in multinational import and logistics management in a medium to large retail operation
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills
• A working knowledge of financial forecasting and inventory control
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Strong planning, organizational and monitoring skills
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to work on own initiative, innovative and flexible
• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage time and achieve targets

REQUIRED PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Commercial awareness
• Leadership attributes