Kelly-Caitlyn ElAwadly

· Plan and select the range, type, quality and quantity of merchandise according to customer demand, trends, store policies and set prices and sell through targets in conjunction.

· Carry out buying activities in-line with the brand buying plans. Maintain profitable relationships with existing suppliers and monitor the adherence to the contract terms.

· Drive the seasonal strategies in line with the brand positioning to formulate Gross Margin Plan. Develop a fine tuned assortment and investment plan. Create the sourcing development plan and action the critical path to deliver timely.

· Negotiate with new suppliers on product pricing, payment terms, cost of freight, provision of training, and the extent of their involvement in advertising and promotions, to decide on placing a purchase order with the supplier for the concerned product.

· OTB Planning – Manage OTB in tandem with the planning counterpart. Deliver the seasonal business strategy by monitoring and impacting the critical path, range building and product selection.

· Prepare and manage the buying calendar. Formulate seasonal product focus plan with Marketing and VM to drive key product initiatives.

· Focus on holding current business and build new categories. Conducting customer focus groups and competitive shopping.

· Analysis and reporting of weekly sales performance at style, range, category and business unit level against range plan. Take in season action to revise production flows and maximize sales.

· Manage TNA plans. Implement the buying calendar for timely seasonal analysis and range build. Perform regular competitor surveys to identify product gaps, influence lessons learnt and range plans.

· Manage range and product hierarchy and create the seasonal phasing plan. Responsible for the ‘The Look’ for the season. Influence product selection, in-store VM as per guidelines and layout planning.

· Keep abreast of market trends and awareness of competitor activities. Manage the product training of staff to ensure up-to-date knowledge. Prepare regular trends training and deliver to the business units.

· Oversee the recruiting, hiring and training needs of the store, and efficient decision making to enhance the overall performance of the store.

· Provide leadership and support to all the employees.

· Achieve quantitative measures of performance in the following areas: Units per transaction, Average transaction value, sales per month, sales per square feet, sales turnover, shrinkage control, increase in conversion percentage.

· Set store sales target to maximize the sales and profitability.

· Guide Area Managers and Stores Managers wherever applicable to maximize productivity in store through effective utilization of the available resources.

· Effective management of the operational costs, reduction in operational costs by automation.

· Adhere and enforce Company SOP, Policies and procedures; loss prevention audit guidelines in all the stores. Also monitor the measures to ensure compliance by all the employees.

· Implementation and execution of the Visual Merchandising guidelines are followed at all the stores at all times.

· Recruit and train the staff on sales techniques, customer service, teamwork, and other etiquettes as per the company and brand requirements.

· Evaluate the performance of the employees annually and promote open lines of communication through coaching and motivation.

· Interpret and make decision on operations and visual standards based on store and client’s needs.

· Handle a Portfolio of 250 Brands within the Category of Womenswear (Formal, Activewear, Contemporary, Designer, Footwear, Accessories, Casual).

· Plan ahead and feed executive summaries to the board members of revenue drivers plus key trade moments with the action plans

· Mentor, coach and train a team of 10 direct reportees (Assistant merchandise, Associate merchandise, JNR Buyer, Admin assistant and stylists)

· Setting department OKRs and a 3-year roadmap with key pillars to meet our set budgets

· Work on devising sales initiatives to boost trade (Fashion Show, never fully Dressed Event, Sip N Style, Box Parties, Hackathon, key calendar campaign moments)

· Weekly board meetings to give top line sales, stock movement/management, budgets, forecast.

· Oversee the styling Department, to ensure all newness, fast/slow movers are being sent out to the right audience.

· Plan events with the curated merchandise to ensure the forecasted turn-over has been achieved

· Weekly/Monthly and quarterly performance review, to ensure proper action plans are in place with key drivers in place within my direct reportees

· Plan and forecast the financial goals: Open to buy (OTB), Pre Season finical plans, in-season re-forecasting and planning new avenues of Cash flow.

· Strategize, Plan and action seasonal and continuity OTBs with buying, stakeholders.

· Prepare weekly reports and monthly review of sales and inventory results, coordinates subsequent re-forecasting estimates and or markdowns recommendations, as well as presents the item/class/department level forecasts with focus on identifying trade levers and flag risks.

· Stock Management Weekly for fast fashion rolling OTB and replenishments.

· Key account owner to maintain relationship and on board new potential partnerships within the three different business models: Own bought, Consignment and Marketplace.(created non-negotiable for supplier set up, streamline supplier monthly reports, constant communication guidelines so they relationship is kept healthy and professional) Based on sales analysis and actuals budget, have an active plan of what suppliers missing to get on board.

· Handle both avenues of fast fashion brands and seasonal fashion.

· Analyzing historical data and the current trend to identify potential risks or opportunities in the department within my area of responsibility.

· Establishing a strong partnership with all cross-function partners. Commercial, frontline team, marketing, buying, operations and logistics fulfillment etc.

· Drive the pre-season, in season and post season item/class/department level analysis, identifying opportunities and risks. Prepare and analyze choice productivity and key items to maximize sales and minimize risks.

· Prepare and negotiate Outlet deal of aged stock to Maximize profit.

Part of the SCRUM team as a Key stakeholder with the tech team that are developing and constantly evolving the platform. When it comes to PLP, digital merchandising of the item, copywriting, measuring guides ect.

· Handle the following accounts; Harvey Nicholas Dubai, Bloomingdales Dubai and Kuwait store Ounass and BLM online, (Women’s footwear, Women’s Designer, Women’s Eveningwear and Women’s Bags) Brunello Cucinelli Mono Store, All of Armani Group for GCC (Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange Giorgio Armani, Armani Kids, Armani outlet) (B&M and Online; BLM.com & Ounass), Mama & Papas GCC B&M and Digital channels .

· Prepare, discuss and action seasonal and continuity OTBs with buying, stakeholders and board members.

· Prepare weekly reports and monthly review of sales and inventory results, coordinates subsequent re-forecasting estimates and or markdowns recommendations, as well as presents the item/class/department level forecasts with focus on identifying and communicating opportunity and risks.

· Work with buyer to develop and maintain the forecast and budget plans and replenishment styles. (Constant or min max for continual business or weekly manual replenishment for seasonal brands and departments).

· Analyzing historical data and the current trend to identify potential risks or opportunities in the department within my area of responsibility.

· Supporting decisions concerning class, floor set and store eligibility.

· Drive the pre-season, in season and post season item/class/department level analysis, identifying opportunities and risks. Prepare and analyze choice productivity and key items to maximize sales and minimize risks.

· Establishing a strong partnership with all cross function partners. Commercial, frontline team, marketing, buying, operations etc.

· Develop and refine math and merchandising planning skills that support responsibilities and future growth.

· Stock rotation between the four main accounts to increase probability.

· Handle the biggest OTB in Harvey Nicholas and Bloomingdales own bought goods (Women’s’ Handbags and Footwear)

· Assisting in decision-making and problem solving on supplier/brand/ partner issues.

· Negotiating Discounts on late goods

· Managing all aspects relating to shipments, logistical processing and allocation functions

· Reviewing supplier and warehouse replenishment orders based on model stock and trends to achieve optimal sales, profit and stock inventory.

· Compiling communication and coordination with the stores regarding new launches, product discontinuation, price change and brand/ item focus.

· Recommending, requesting approval and auctioning inter store transfers of stock and direct the distribution of goods to achieve store sales, stock turn and margin goals.

· Inventory management

· Promoting a win-win approach with all key brand partners.

· Weekly Sell thru performance reports sent to suppliers and internal sell thru

· Sales performance reports.

· Carry over modules and reports for goods to move from season to season.

· Creating trackers and reports for business to update and to retrieve information from for financial purposes.

· Set up SRP in the system for top five OTB brands

· System updates creating new departments, classes and sub classes.

· Internship at the offshore pipelining company.

· Worked with oracle in the management-planning department.

· Filled orders of supplies for the offshore ships.

· Completed month end accounting for whole company in accounting department.