Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Sheetal Gairola

Category Head Footwear and Accessories
New Delhi

Summary

Result driven category manager with 14 years of experience in Buying, Merchandising, Range Development, Strategic Planning & Category Management (online and offline business)

online platform strategist.


Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Category Buying Strategy Head- Footwear and Acc.

Reliance Retail
02.2021 - 02.2023
  • Leading Range development and strategies for online and off line business. ( Ajio.com and Azorte)
  • Product catalogue promotion according to season, and placement of promotions at the Right time for right product.
  • Set and monitored annual budgets for departments and entire business.
  • Increased revenue by developing and implementing strategic sales initiatives.
  • Launched new products or services that contributed significantly to the company''s bottom line while maintaining a strong competitive edge.
  • Established and managed monthly, quarterly and yearly sales plans. with a calendar of promotion planned in advance.
  • Managed budgets, forecasting financial needs, and ensuring fiscal responsibility across all departments.
  • Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors, reducing operational costs and fostering long-term partnerships.
  • Led cross-functional teams to achieve successful project completion within tight deadlines.
  • Drove revenue growth by optimizing pricing models based on consumer demand patterns analysis.
  • Developed detailed sales forecasts based on historical data, allowing for proactive inventory management decisions.
  • Improved internal collaboration between departments such as design, Buying, manufacturing, marketing using effective communication strategies.
  • Strengthened brand reputation by aligning product offerings with customer values and delivering on promises made through marketing efforts.
  • Created both tactical and strategic digital campaigns using social media, email, landing pages and ads to drive increased customer conversions and engagement.
  • Spearheaded change management initiatives related to new product introductions or major shifts in existing product strategies.

Category Manager (Lifestyle)

Vishal Mega Mart
6 2018 - 02.2021
  • Leading end-to-end product buying, merchandising & sourcing; vendor development functions; championing these initiatives in collaboration with various teams/ stakeholders.
  • Heading Lifestyle category in private label segment, managing the P&L for the entire category ensuring that the category GP is in line with the organization’s profitability targets.
  • Mitigated business risk and improved customer lead times through thoughtful supplier network design.
  • Full Price and Full Season performance in terms of STRs, Plan Vs. Achievements.
  • Directing strategic planning and securing best deal on the product (in terms of price, quality, lead-time) and heading end-to-end product life cycle from right from development to availability on the stores to display guidelines, sales and liquidation.

Manager Buying & Merchandising (Men's Wear)

Shoppers Stop
06.2015 - 06.2018


  • Analyzed weekly sales, based on plan, YOY growth, style level/ product category level/brand level sell through, NWC’s and ROS.
  • Supervised OTB management, and projected intake requirement well in advance.
  • Planned merchandise to achieve maximum SPSF and GMROF at brand and category level.


Buyer (Accessories)

Landmark Group
04.2014 - 06.2015
  • Managed sourcing from different foreign markets like- China, US, Hong Kong.
  • Developed range and performed trend analysis through international market visits.
  • Negotiated commercial contract arrangements with suppliers.
  • Reviewed pricing and promotional strategies.
  • Writing accurate buying and sales reports.

Buyer (Footwear and Accessories)

Eske – Via Romnaa Fashions India Pvt.
04.2011 - 03.2014
  • Performed season wise product planning, range development as per the market trends & budgets allocated.
  • Ensured budgets/ targets are realistic and sufficient product is procured at a realistic retail price.
  • Ensured timely delivery of products by closely monitoring vendor performance and addressing any issues promptly.

Asst. Buyer (Footwear & Accessories)

Da Milano India Pvt. Ltd., Delhi
11.2009 - 01.2011
  • Managed range planning and development.
  • Utilized buying plan and ensured optimum and best product build up in catalogue.

Education

Diploma in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Mgmt. -

Footwear Design And Development Institute
07.2007 - 07.2010

PGDM in Retail Management -

PRIN. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management
09.2013 - 09.2015

Skills

    Category Management

    Strategic Planning

    Trend Analysis

    Product Development

    P & L Management

  • Digital Marketing Strategy
  • Online Advertising

Timeline

Category Buying Strategy Head- Footwear and Acc.

Reliance Retail
02.2021 - 02.2023

Manager Buying & Merchandising (Men's Wear)

Shoppers Stop
06.2015 - 06.2018

Buyer (Accessories)

Landmark Group
04.2014 - 06.2015

PGDM in Retail Management -

PRIN. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management
09.2013 - 09.2015

Buyer (Footwear and Accessories)

Eske – Via Romnaa Fashions India Pvt.
04.2011 - 03.2014

Asst. Buyer (Footwear & Accessories)

Da Milano India Pvt. Ltd., Delhi
11.2009 - 01.2011

Diploma in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Mgmt. -

Footwear Design And Development Institute
07.2007 - 07.2010

Category Manager (Lifestyle)

Vishal Mega Mart
6 2018 - 02.2021

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Sheetal GairolaCategory Head Footwear and Accessories