Director - Retail Buying - Diesel - New York

Job description
JOB PURPOSE
Leads the US Retail Buying Team to drive product performance and achieve financial goals/KPI’s through the development and selection of brand-aligned seasonal assortments across all product categories for US stores.¨ Partners with Merchandising team to guarantee that product assortments create the appropriate brand message across categories, balancing the global brand direction with the needs of the local markets.
Exercises discretion and independent judgment in the day to day management over key functional areas, including areas of buying, merchandising, training, personnel management, and similar activities (comprising 80% or more of the job)



JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
BUDGET MANAGEMENT
Adheres to departmental budget

FUNCTIONAL PLANNING
Plans individual and teams day to day and annual work flow
Establishes priorities and team objectives
Directs team’s work, ensures it is delegated and apportioned accordingly to optimize output
Determines resources and equipment required in function to enable objective achievement. Submits requests for resources as required.

BRAND STRATEGY
Customization of assortment to Diesel US market needs
Monitoring trends for effective market analysis, to inform Company of market needs.
Partnership with Diesel HQ in Italy

COMMERCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Work closely with Merchandising team to differentiate what products sell in what market and buy accordingly. Unifies assortment mix between Buyers to ensure consistent presentation of DIESEL across all product categories.
Selection of volume drivers for the US in store product offer.
Drive different color stories and themes as required to support the business goals and seasonal campaign message
Accountability for in meeting sales targets and budget performance (in conjunction with Area Managers).
Driving the sales using common key performance indicators including UPT’s, conversion rate and mystery shop results etc. In-season performance accountability.
Direct Area Managers to initiate programs and procedures to increase productivity and sales
Meet the needs of current product demands of market, in addition to capitalizing on emerging product trends quickly, and driving new product trends into the market as necessary to build sales and brand equity.
Performs margin management: Pricing.
Monitor store presentation to support brand consistency
In-season product optimization and accountability – ensure that the product assortment performs strongly in all areas of the market during the season, and take corrective action as required to ensure product sell-thru is optimized and stock liability is minimized.
Performs weekly analysis of product sell through, followed by adjustment recommendations. Responsibility for store performance.
Travel to stores, shop the market and travel to Italy, to understand Diesel trends in the marketplace and maximize the opportunities for additional sales and profits.
Works with planning on budgeting, analysis and all financial requirements for running the business.

PARTNERSHIPS
Merchandising and Brand teams
Partner with Area Manager to increase sales, develop teams and strategize plans to grow the retail business throughout the US
Work with Retail Planning & Visual Merchandising Team to deliver sell thru promotional initiatives to drive sales and achieve commercial goals
Ability to work effectively with Diesel Marketing department to strengthen market presence.
Motivate Area Managers to ensure customer satisfaction comply with company procedures and maximize productivity and profitability
Enforces and maintains DIESEL in-store image via merchandise assortments

MANAGEMENT RESPONSPONSIBILITIES
Efficient mentor and trainer of entire team to ensure knowledge on buying systems and assess training needs necessary for succession planning and growth of function.
Ensure product knowledge is shared effectively to build sales.
Within the wider business population, increase the skill set, knowledge and performance of all employees in terms of product knowledge, through one to one coaching, running of product seminars, ensuring product training tools are launched and used effectively throughout the season.
Supervises and trains buying team in areas of assortment planning, merchandise planning, Open To Buy (OTB) maintenance, product-line development, marketing and delivery of product on a timely basis.

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT:
Interviews and selects direct reports and team members, proposes pay rates and work schedules
Trains team on work practices and procedures & Provides safety and security of employees (and property).
Appraises direct reports and team members’ performance on an annual and day to day basis; recommends promotions as appropriate to Human Resources
Maintains records on employees’ performance within team as required to enable effective supervision and control of team
Disciplines and performance manages employees within direct team on areas of substandard performance
Proposes employee status changes, up to and including employment termination, to Human Resources for areas of ongoing unsatisfactory performance or gross misconduct, in line with Company policies and procedures
Receives and resolves employee concerns and complaints in conjunction with Human Resources
Provides safety and security of employees (and property).

Desired Skills and Experience
EDUCATION
4 yr degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience
GENERAL REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
8+ years progressive Buying experience, with 3+ years managing a team of 3+ direct reports
Experience developing cohesive and branded merchandise assortments for business volume of $100+M
Experience working across key US regional markets; Strong understanding of regional variations
Experience speaking to and leveraging KPI’s, with strong knowledge of financial measurements and retail math
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working within Diesel competitive landscape; Strong understanding of Diesel customer base
Experience successfully partnering cross-functionally (planning, visual merchandising, store operations, etc) and with a European headquarters preferred
Knowledge of all Microsoft Windows applications including: Word, Excel, Power
Multi-category product experience with strong product trend understanding; Denim experience required

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