Leicester, England, United Kingdom
I offer vast and significant experience, gained predominantly within the Retail and Corporate clothing sector, of Offshore and UK production, manufacturing and supply chain process management, merchandising and account management, critical paths, trouble shooting / problem solving / cost analysis, and identifying opportunities to maximise sales whilst closely managing customer expectations. I am a fully qualified Work Study / Industrial Engineer and have worked on many interesting projects to deliver process cost savings and maximize efficiencies through the application of professional lean manufacturing and continuous improvement work measurement techniques. I am highly motivated, proactive and have learned to work well whilst under pressure to achieve tight deadlines. I am very organised and respond well to a challenge. I am always willing to perform other tasks that are outside of my normal duties in order to make sure that deadlines are met. I have experience of working with many blue chip retailers including Asda, Next, Primark / Penneys, M&S, El Corte Ingles, C&A, Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Debenhams, and others.
Merchandising function to manage the manufacturing and import supply chain, to key UK and USA retail accounts. Main point of contact for customers / US retailers and all manufacturing factories. Work closely with Customer Buying and Merchandising Teams to understand requirements for new and repeat options. Source and provide sampling for new options including lead time, MOQ’s and costing details. Ensure sample submissions are on time to meet with Buying and Merchandising launch date Critical Path. Raise Purchase Orders, Sales Orders using Navision Software, send to manufacturing factories in line with agreed prices and delivery dates. Manage and maintain internal Critical Path document to make sure that all key event completion dates are achieved. Main point of contact for any production / manufacturing / logistic issues. Responsible for finding workable solutions whilst always being aware of any cost considerations, problem solving, decision making. Continued awareness of upcoming booking deadlines and ensuring relevant team members are kept informed. Arrange for internal packing of all products, check and reserve internal packing requirement to meet with contracted delivery dates. Prepare Packing Lists and all related booking paperwork, make delivery reservations to secure delivery slots for all packed products in line with contracted delivery dates. Arrange all logistics requirements, book transport for collection and delivery in line with agreed delivery reservation times. Manage all invoicing queries including preparing and sending any credit notes. Manage to satisfactory conclusion.
Account Management and Merchandising function to manage the manufacturing and import supply chain, to key High Street accounts. Main point of contact for customers / high street retailers and all manufacturing factories. Work closely with Customer Buying and Merchandising Teams to understand requirements for new and repeat options. Source and provide sampling for new options including lead time, MOQ’s and costing details. Ensure sample submissions are on time to meet with Buying and Merchandising launch date Critical Path. Manage all costings, source and challenge supplier costs, calculate and manage margins to ensure targets are maintained / improved, reverse engineer customer price points to calculate buying target prices (given target margins). Request prices from suppliers’ office and quote to customers, ensuring target margins are achieved. Price negotiation and delivery date confirmation to enable PO’s to be raised. Raise Purchase Orders, Sales Orders using Sage Software, send to manufacturing factories in line with agreed prices and delivery dates. Manage and maintain internal Critical Path document to make sure that all key event completion dates are achieved. Main point of contact for any production / manufacturing / logistic issues. Responsible for finding workable solutions whilst always being aware of any cost considerations, problem solving, decision making. Ongoing awareness of upcoming booking deadlines and ensuring relevant team members are kept informed. Arrange packing of all products, reserve internal packing capacity requirement to meet with contracted delivery dates. Prepare Packing Lists and & booking paperwork, secure delivery slots for all packed products in line with contracted delivery dates. Manage logistics requirements, book transport for collection and delivery in line with agreed delivery appointments. Raise and send all invoices and reconcile to completion. Manage all invoicing & credit notes. Manage to satisfactory conclusion.
Manage the Retail and Wholesale Merchandising function by controlling the manufacturing and import supply chain, in order to service key accounts and our own online website stock requirements. This function includes management of both Private Label and Branded product. Duties specific to Retail / Online Merchandising include: Analysis of current and previous sales patterns and trends in order to prepare for top up repeat quantities or launch quantities for new product. Work with Marketing Team to understand planned special promotions in order to ensure forecasted sales are backed by stock availability. Closely monitor sales to identify “winners” in order to ensure stock levels are sufficient to service demand. Clearance of any unsold stock, normally where sales were not as popular, working with the Marketing Team, through promotions and online offers. Reporting and analysis of forecasted sales versus actual sales figures. Duties specific to Wholesale Merchandising include: Receive enquiries for new and repeat orders for current and forthcoming seasons, quote prices and availability dates. Arrange sampling for new sales opportunities whilst working with customer. Arrange and check all Chemical and Physical Testing requirements in line with customer specifications including arranging corrective action where necessary. Maintain customers’ Critical Path documents to facilitate visibility to customers of the status of their respective orders. Duties specific to both Retail / Online and Wholesale include: Weekly Critical Path meetings with suppliers to ensure key event dates are accurately achieved. Arrange acquisition of componentry, chase suppliers to ensure that despatch dates are achieved in line with the Critical Path dates. Issue all packaging specifications. Manage all freight logistics (air, sea and truck) movements ensuring documentation is processed correctly to ensure goods are shipped on time, manage clearance and receipt.
• Account Management and Merchandising function. Work closely with Retailers' Buying and Merchandising Teams of key High Street accounts in order to develop current and new business opportunities. To manage the manufacturing and import supply chain. • Receive enquiries for new and repeat orders for current and forthcoming seasons, quote prices and availability dates. • Arrange sampling for new sales opportunities whilst working with customer. • Raise contracts with offshore factories in Turkey, China and India. Price negotiation to agree CMT / FOB costs. • Order componentry, chase suppliers to ensure that despatch dates are achieved in line with the Critical Path dates. • Issue all packaging specifications in line with customer requirements. • Manage the Fabric Technical sourcing and approval processes specific to each retailer. • Arrange and check all Chemical and Physical Testing requirements including arranging and organising corrective action where necessary. • Work closely with suppliers / factories to accurately plan and control production schedules. • Daily Critical Path meetings via skype / phone with factories / suppliers to ensure key event dates are accurately maintained and achieved. • Maintain customers’ Critical Path documents to ensure clarity to customers of the status of their respective orders. • Arrange UK reprocessing where required in order to ensure all product is delivered correctly. • Arrange and chase all freight (air, sea and truck) including arranging all paperwork and coordinating bookings to ensure goods are shipped correctly and in time to meet contracted delivery dates.
• Senior Merchandising function to manage the manufacturing and import supply chain, to key High Street accounts including Next,, Sainsburys, Tesco, Primark, Penneys, Debenhams, Morrisons, Mothercare, Sock Shop, Poundland, Poundworld, Mackays, and other smaller accounts. • Receive enquiries for new and repeat orders for current and forthcoming seasons, quote availability dates. • Raise contracts with offshore factories in Turkey, China and India. Price negotiation to agree CMT / FOB costs. • Order componentry, chase suppliers to ensure that despatch dates are achieved in line with the Critical Path dates. • Issue all packaging specifications in line with customer requirements. • Weekly Critical Path meetings with suppliers to ensure key event dates are accurately maintained and achieved. • Maintain customers’ Critical Path documents to facilitate visibility to customers of the status of their respective orders. • Arrange UK reprocessing where required in order to ensure all product is delivered correctly. • Chase all freight paperwork to ensure goods are shipped correctly, intervene where necessary. • Arrange Air Freight of finished goods where required and chase UK delivery.