Ekta Jaiswal
Mumbai
Summary
Diligent Category Head with over 12 years of experience, Seamlessly managing multiple categories in Buying, Planning and Merchandising.
Optimizes processes, communication and drive results in vendor negotiation, onbaording and launch.
Actively administers space productivity and OTB utilization to maximize efficiency.
Dedicated to continuously improving professional knowledge and work towards the betterment of business needs.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager- Non-Apparels, Mens & Kids Wear
Reliance Retail Ltd- Avantra by Trends
12.2020 - Current
- Head buyer for Mens wear, Kids wear and Non-Apps categories: Beauty, Jewellery-Accessories and Footwear
- Range architecture/selection, product development, assortment planning
- Budget planning, OTB, Buy plans: preparing the buy plans, tracking the annual operating plan
- Margin management and cost closure: driving the intake margins, closing right MRP
- Markdown management: channelize liquidation plans on the existing inventory
- Vendor Management: evaluating new vendors, onboarding, processing new range
- External Brand management: Margin negotiation, TOT closure, Brand Onboarding and launch, placement and Plotting in stores
- Successfully launched 65 stores pan India, approx
- 100 in pipeline
- People Management: mentoring, developing and grooming the team
- Setting clear performance expectations and providing constructive feedback.
Manager- External Brands- Non Apparels
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd- Pantaloons
10.2016 - 12.2020
- Preparing category wise budget in sync with external brand partners and internal departments considering past performance, current trend, marketing & operational activities
- Ensuring optimum inventory level, right assortment and on-shelf availability in coordination with vendors and suppliers in a timely manner
- Collaborate with brands for customer engagement activities, cross promotional campaigns, SOH, and marketing activations across various occasions
- Margin Negotiation and Vendor recovery- Ensuring the intake margins are as per norms and in-line with company, negotiate the optimum margin structure with new brands, active participation in recoveries with commercial
- Conducting periodical business reviews with Brand Partners and Operations
- Season-wise range selection, aligning sales projection, minimum buy quantity during the trade shows of various brands
- Regular store visits to ensure faster resolution to gaps, taking feedbacks from store teams for improved business
- Visiting competition to understand the trend in market and implying the best possible versions
- Evaluating growth opportunities for newer categories and products by tracking competition’s activities, consumer’s needs and buying patterns
- Closely working with Space and VM teams for improves areas, right locations and aesthetically appealing display
- Accountable for People Management by identifying training requirements, developing and grooming the team
- Setting clear performance expectations and providing constructive feedback on a regular basis.
Deputy Manager- Space Planning and New Store Opening
BirlaAdBirlaBirla Fashion & Retail Ltd-Pantaloons
Mumbai
07.2011 - 10.2016
- Conceptualizing Merchandise Layout for New stores, Renovation stores at a category/brand level basis projected sale, Stock capacities, Demographic requirement and Competition offerings
- Seasonal Layout planning- Ensuring optimum space productivity by reviewing performing and non-performing categories/brands for every operational Pantaloons store
- Timely visit to stores identifying the areas of improvement and scope of work to uplift the store’s look and feel, improved space productivity, right assortment mix
- Single point of contact with Projects, Operation, VM, IT, Marketing, Category teams in finalizing and executing store layouts for 150+ stores.
AvantraBajaj Capital Insurance Br Ltd.
05.2008 - 05.2009
- Focusing on 360 degree Financial Planning by establishing customer relationship through selling of mutual funds/Insurance (LI+GI) products to existing & new clients & by providing business volumes & meeting targets
- Ensuring active personal responsibility for accomplishing target through direct, corporate, referral & cross- selling
- Handling documentation & ensuring issue of policies including providing daily sale report& other MIS reports when required.
Education
Master of Fashion Management -
NIFT, Kolkata
01.2011
B.Sc - Botany, Chemistry, Zoology
Allahabad University
01.2008
Skills
- Category Brand Vendor Management
- Onboarding and launch of new brands and vendors
- Assortment planning
- OTB Optimization
- Business Performance management
- Pricing and markdown management
- Cross-function promotions and category led promotions
- Proficient in MS Office, store planograms and space planning
- Product Life cycle management
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 12/10/86
- Marital Status: Married
Hobbies and Interests
Playing Badminton, Listening to Music, Cooking, Arts and Crafts
Languages
English, Hindi
Accomplishments
- Accumulative merit holder in graduation.
- Gold medalist in Botany
- Received "Emerging Leader" award for FY19-20 in Pantaloons.
- Recognition for GEM (Go Extra Mile award) in FY16-17 in Pantaloons.
Timeline
Senior Manager- Non-Apparels, Mens & Kids Wear
Reliance Retail Ltd- Avantra by Trends
12.2020 - Current
Manager- External Brands- Non Apparels
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Ltd- Pantaloons
10.2016 - 12.2020
Deputy Manager- Space Planning and New Store Opening
BirlaAdBirlaBirla Fashion & Retail Ltd-Pantaloons
07.2011 - 10.2016
AvantraBajaj Capital Insurance Br Ltd.
05.2008 - 05.2009
Master of Fashion Management -
NIFT, Kolkata
B.Sc - Botany, Chemistry, Zoology
Allahabad University
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