The Randstad, Netherlands
Accountable for the sales, margin and stock performance for all European Full Price, Factory Outlet and Online McGregor, Gaastra and ADAM Multibrand stores (annual turnover 2016 € 120M). Head of the Merchandise Buying & Planning department. Key results & learnings: • Realized a successful integration of the McGregor Buying & Planning activities for the European Retail and Online teams. • Reduced the size of the Omni-channel collections for McGregor Menswear, Womenswear and Kids, by improved assortment analysis, optimized store capacity planning and integral controlled stock planning. • Build and executed a new McGregor Outlet strategy with format differentiation, optimized planning and product offer: leading to strongly improved sales and margins results. • Optimized the ADAM brands portfolio, increased turnover and reduced stock levels and mark downs with a higher margin contribution as a result for every season. • Managed the business and team through a bankruptcy and successful restart of the company and activities. • Experienced to lead, build and coach a professional team of 5-8 direct reports during 2 years of intensive change within the organization and market. Learned how to influence and prioritize in cross-functional processes.
Accountable for the sales and margin results of the Formal and Contemporary menswear departments (annual turnover 2014 € 35M). Senior responsibilities in category strategy and management, assortment development and supplier sourcing. Key results & learnings: • Strongly increased like-for-like sales and margin performances for the Formal department (up to index 140) • Achieved market leadership in the formal shirts category (based on GfK market figures). • Significant improved margin results by relocate production towards Myanmar / Cambodia and start up short term buying in Europe / Turkey. • Start up the new Contemporary department with both private label and brands collection. • Worked very successful in teams with changing roles and responsibilities: having a major, positive and senior influence in optimizing assortments, suppliers’ portfolio, marketing activities etc.
Accountable for the overall men’s fashion strategic and operational buying management of the multi brand stores (annual turnover 2011 € 12M). Key results & learnings: • Optimized the collection performances and reduced the portfolio from 60 towards 30 core suppliers for Brands and private label buy executing own developed strategy. • Learned to deal with the responsibilities and consequences of daily senior influence, leading to more pragmatic and better results driven decision making. • Developed valuable experiences in relationship, contract and brand management.
Operational accountable for buying results of several men’s fashion categories or markets. Key learning period to understand and experience roles, responsibilities and requirements for successful and effective suppliers-, buying- and merchandise management. Responsible for the private label collections (Outerwear, Knits, Wovens) and FE Sourcing in China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Indonesia. Start up short term buying in Europe / Turkey.
• Joined the 2-year high-potential leadership program with multidiscipline projects to learn about Retail in all aspects. Worked for example as a Junior Buyer or participated in a companywide KSA assortment improvement and savings project. • Experienced personal coaching & development courses and (young) management classes.
Started career in merchandise planning & allocation for the Sports department: controlling buy budgets, optimizing stock levels, markdowns and sell through performances. Valuable partner to several buyers and teams.