MANISH SONKER

• Major Category handled at Trends Kids Wear Apparels – 0-16 Age group , Privet Labels ( Frendz , Team Spirit , DNMX , Point Cove , Play Day , Rio Girl) , Brands ( LEE COOPER , H By Hamleys ,Mother Care , Crimson Club)

Total 1868 crore worth of business handle with 1260 stores across

India

KEY ROLE

• Build seasonal product ranges across pan India stores.
• Work on selection ranking as input to forecast & final buy quantities based on qualitative and quantitative data.
• Liaise with Business head Retail Merchandising to develop financial plans and seasonal strategy
• Accountable for timely order placement and tracking
• Jointly accountable for planning for delivering maximum sales, margin, and profit to business
• Accountable for buy-spend, divisional inventory control and option count
• Product and strategy presentations to management, field operations, store teams and other stakeholders.
• Liaise with Head of Retail Merchandising to develop financial plans across categories, key attributes and grade/store level
• Work closely with VM and Commercial Marketing to agree on zoning and display in store
• Divisional inventory control and option count management to ensure maximum profit, space density and constant option flow
• Weekly product performance analysis & Bestseller reporting to improve buying, store distribution and sales performance
• Jointly responsible for tracking bottom-up and top-down-targets in season and constant adjustments to manage inventory, ST% and sales target achievement.
• Gross Margin & Markdown forecast and management.
• Analysis and communication of key performance indicators for effective decision-making.

. Build a high performance & high energy team. Minimize attrition in the team.

• Major brand handled Borders , Cath Kidston.
• Major Category handle Kids Apparel ( Cath Kidston ) ,Toy , Stationary , Gift & Novelty , Home , Bath & Body , Beauty and Cosmetic

· Developing event calendar along with Marketing team.

· Forecast sale , margin , monthly intake budget for all category inline with event calendar.

· OTB Planning & management at subcategory level for each month

· Responsible for pricing , promotion strategy , markdown and gross margin .

· Supervised Stock allocation & rotation across the stores, RTV , promotions, discounts and markdowns for clearance; developed an exit plan for discontinued

· Responsible for new launch & replenishment local as well as import orders of Kids Apparel , Toys , Stationary ,Gift & Novelty & Cath kidston

· Responsible new store opening sale , budget & stock planning , closing & refurbishment

· Coordinate with stores , warehouse & delivery team for stock & customer deliveries.

· New vendor development and liaising with current suppliers , negotiating discounts.

· Train , motivate and develop high performing Junior Team.

Attend international trade fairs as well as local events to update new launches

All Kids wear category Clothing, Basic, Toys, Nursery & Furniture handled for new born, toddler and teen age group

Major Brand handle are in Baby Shop

Clothing : Lee Cooper, Bossini, Posh, Giggles, Longboard, Barbie, Hello Kitty, Marvels, Ben 10

Maui & Sons, Dora, Nano, Eligo, Pampolina,& Moodstreet

Basic : Phillip Avent, Barbie, Fisher Price, Cartoon Network, Chicco, Disney, First Year

Marvel, Sanrio, the Smurf, Tommee Tippee, Johnson & Johnson, Medela Etc.

Toys : Barbie, Hot wheels, Fisher Price, Disney, Ralph Lauren, Ferrari, Playgro etc.

Nursery & Furniture : Graco, Maclaren, Chicco, Ferrari, Maxi-Cosi, First year, Fisher Price, Hot wheels

Kaufmann, Nania, Kids11, Fulla, Neo Nato, Hello Kitty etc

• Sale forecast store wise monthly & yearly thru bottom up and tickle down method , gross margin plan and monthly intake budget plan for each category in line with marketing calendar.
• Accountable for planning OTB (open to buy) at sub category level , margin planning & markdown strategies , stock forecasting for each month, pre-season range & assortment planning , sales & promotional strategies
• Supervised promotions, discounts and markdowns for clearance; developed exit plan for discontinued items
• Stock allocation & rotation across the stores, RTV & requisition
• Responsible for New store opening sale , budget & stock planning , closing & refurbishment
• Coordinate with suppliers , stores , warehouse & delivery team for stock deliveries to store & customers.
• Reports : weekly and monthly sales analysis ,buying reports , range reviews , OTB balance report ,& Aging report
• Weekly reporting & conference call with Dubai Head .

category handled Kids Apparel , Women’s, Fashion Accessories, Women’s Lingerie

• Category handled Women’s, Fashion Accessories & Women’s Lingerie
• Analyzing consumer buying patterns and predicting future trends
• Range Planning & Selection and Price Architecture as per local Market & Brand Objective
• Responsible for formulating and monitor the weekly sales and stock intake
• Accountable for planning OTB (open to buy), margin & markdown, stock forecasting, pre season range and sales & promotional strategies
• Closely monitor sales performance of all lines against targets , actively chase stock and drive sale in stores
• Supervised promotions, discounts and markdowns for clearance; developed an exit plan for discontinued items
• Reacting to changes in demand and logistics
• Stock allocation & rotation across the stores, RTV & requisition
• Managing shipment to reduce cost
• Coordinate with stores , warehouse & delivery team for stock & customer deliveries
• New store opening , closing & refurbishment
• Weekly reporting & conference call with UK brands partner

All Kids category handled Baby & Toddler , Younger Girl & Boy , Fashion Accessories , Toy’s & Bath & Bedding

Major Brand handle are in Mom & Me

Baby & Toddler : Gerson & Gerson, Mamiye Brothers, Pastourelle, Star Children

Younger wear : Little Me, Pastourelle, Bonnie Jean, Ben 10, Spider Man & Disney

Fashion Accessories : Disney , Ben 10 , Barbie & Fantacia

Toys & Accessories : Barbie, Disney, Fisher Price, Toys Triangle, Johnson & Johnson etc

• All Kids category handled Baby & Toddler , Younger Girl & Boy , Fashion Accessories , Toy’s & Bath & Bedding Major Brand handle are in Mom & Me
• Overseeing the selection and buying of the kids’ category merchandise, including basic essentials, fashion, accessories, bedding, bath and toys.
• Responsible for thorough liaising with local & international suppliers to negotiate pricing and quality of products.
• Strategising effective sales techniques to productively drive sales volumes
• Monitoring and accurately calculating the weekly sales projection.
• Tracking inventory levels and requisitioning for additional merchandise; ensuring appropriate stocking of all merchandise.
• Responsible for conducting recruitment drives and hiring deputies to the Head of Purchasing; developing Category buyers.
• Conducting training sessions for new and junior employees; providing support to staff across multiple store location.
• Liaising with suppliers, dealers and other companies to amicably and promptly resolve deficient’s, problems and quality concern issues.
• Ensuring effective product mix, yields and supply chain efficiencies at all times.
• Assessing competitors’ strategies within the region and at other airports; implementing combat tactics to effectively mitigate competition.
• Evaluating costs and expenditures; formulating budget guidelines; ensuring strict adherence to all budget margins.
• Monitoring seasonal fashion buys, adopting appropriate actions to liquidate slow & non-moving stock.
• Scrutinizing stock reports, margin analysis, sales reports, account statements and passenger statistics to ensure maximum .
• Motivating and mentoring the Merchandising team & Beauty Advisors to consistently achieve monthly sales targets.
• Identifying new range of merchandise, improving existing categories and analysing the performance of each merchandise range,
• Representing the company at various fairs, exhibitions and buying trips
• Overseeing all advertising and promotion campaigns.
• Tracking goods in transit and liaising with customs authorities to ensure timely manufacturing, shipping & customs clearance.
• Supervising a gamut of administrative duties involving deliveries, freight, insurance, quality, special discounts, quick payment discounts, extended credit and general marketing support.

• Major Categories handle Kids Apparels , Women's wear , Fashion Accessories , & Lingerie's
• Responsible for formulating and implementing the annual sales plan
• Accountable for planning OTB (open to buy), margin & markdown, stock forecasting, pre season range and sales & promotional strategies.
• Assessed market demands and ensured adequate supply of best selling items; reduced or replaced slow moving and obsolete stock item.
• Supervised promotions, discounts and markdowns for clearance; developed an exit plan for discontinued items
• Liaised with the buying, marketing, retail and visual merchandising teams to brain storm innovative concepts, designs, store layout and signage for effective store replenishment.
• Responsible for building a solid reputation through encouraging high levels of customer service and excellent store presentation, goods for display and merchandise at all time.
• Implemented various Consumer-Promotional and Trade-Promotional tools; organised ‘Planograms’ of various retail products.
• Ensured proper merchandising to facilitate an effective product reach for the customer.