POSITION SUMMARY
This role includes several responsibilities: 1/ Leading the store projects process for SWTFG 2/ Developing business strategy and analysis for SWTFG 3/ supporting the cross-category Merchandising Business Strategy Manager. The Associate will report to 1/ the Senior Vice President SWTFG who ensures strategic alignment and consistency across product categories 2/ the Director of Merchandising Business Strategy for cross- category projects

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Store projects lead of key projects for the Merchandising Teams
   1. Support Merchandising SVP to develop merchandising strategy: Align Floorplans with merchants and store design
   2. Develop the Business Plans (sales / margins) and the supporting rationales / storylines
   3. Prepare pitch decks with the support of Division, and track brand pitching status
   4. Facilitate communication and coordination on project status by preparing and attending store project meetings (Global Project Calls, TB with Store Design…)
   5. Refresh Business Plans when necessary

2. SWTFG Merchandising Analytics
   1. Support Merchandising EVP and SVPs in elaborating and executing category strategy

                                                   i.      Design Merchandising strategy section of the BOD decks

                                                 ii.      Coordinate the Stratplan process for the merchandising team

                                               iii.      Contribute to the Budget cycle by analyzing store performance across categories (Profit by Box, CER vs. Actual, category mix analysis) and building new initiatives

1. Provide analytical support to the Merchandising SVPs and teams

                                               iv.      Develop dashboards to track KPIs and monitor performance. Develop CER hindsight, and call out discrepancies and key business issues

                                                 v.      Provide SVP with monthly business reviews

                                               vi.      Support preparation of vendor presentations on an ad hoc analysis (storylining, key analysis…)

1. Gather, review and communicate key intel and insights across pillars

                                              vii.      Liaise with all the stakeholders (esp. Division, Strategy and Market Development, Marketing…) to collect / share key business insights

                                            viii.      Collect and review market research and publications. Synthesize insights for the merchandising community

                                                ix.      Ensure new intel is integrated into the teams strategic thinking and key business initiatives

3. Cross-category Merchandising Business Strategy team support
4. Support the end to end Capital Expenditures process (collecting and analyzing key financials, maintaining key tools, liaising with all key stakeholders esp. Store Design, Operations, Finance, preparing Business plan submissions…)
5. Provide analytical support to determine cross category potential for DFS locations
6. Work on ad hoc project for the Merchandising Business Strategy (ex: new process and tools)

 EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

• 5 years minimum work experience
• Strategy / Consulting / Finance background
• Willing to move into Corporate role with deep interest in Luxury Retail or FMCG segment

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Hard skills

• Analytics and problem solving
• Strategic thinking
• Agility with numbers
• Good understanding of Financials
• Fully mastering Excel

Soft skills

• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Conflict Management
• Ability to work on multiple projects and under pressure
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Presentation Skills
• Comfort around top management
• Innovation and process Management
• Process Management