We are hiring | Assistant Manager - Category NPT (Ethnic & Kids)

Role & responsibilities

1. Revenue & Profitability

• Deliver budgeted Net Sales Value (NSV), gross margin, and category profitability targets.
• Develop and execute annual Joint Business Plans (JBP) with partner brands.
• Create seasonal buy plans and assortment strategies for assigned categories.
• Identify growth opportunities through category analysis, pricing, and product mix optimization.
• Monitor business performance and implement corrective actions to achieve sales and margin objectives.

2. Merchandise & Inventory Management

• Drive inventory productivity through effective Sell Through Rate (STR) management and working capital optimization.
• Ensure timely merchandise availability across stores through effective planning and replenishment.
• Monitor stock health, inventory ageing, stock cover, and markdown requirements.
• Coordinate with Distribution Centre (DC), Supply Chain, and Store Operations teams for seamless product flow and availability.
• Ensure optimum inventory allocation and replenishment based on sales trends and store requirements.

3. Buying & Assortment Planning

• Analyze historical sales data, consumer buying behavior, and market insights to develop category strategies.
• Study fashion trends, customer preferences, and competitive benchmarks to identify business opportunities.
• Collaborate with Design, Sourcing, and Product Development teams to build commercially strong assortments.
• Ensure comprehensive trend coverage and the right product mix across brands and categories.
• Leverage analytics and market intelligence to enhance buying effectiveness and improve Hit Article Mix (HAM).

4. Brand & Vendor Management

• Build strong relationships with brand partners and vendors to drive business growth.
• Conduct periodic business reviews with brands to monitor performance and identify opportunities.
• Attend trade shows, market visits, and industry events to identify emerging trends and new brands.
• Ensure timely closure of account reconciliations and coordination for vendor payments.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales teams to understand customer demand and execute sales-driving initiatives.
• Coordinate with Operations teams for order fulfillment, returns to vendor (RTV), and inventory management.
• Partner with Supply Chain teams to ensure timely deliveries and resolve operational discrepancies.
• Collaborate with Visual Merchandising (VM) teams for creation and implementation of Standard Display Modules (SDM).
• Support Marketing teams for seasonal campaigns, product launches, and go-to-market (GTM) initiatives.

6. New Store Openings & Seasonal Launches

• Plan and execute merchandise requirements for New Store Openings (NSO).
• Finalize key brands, collections, and launch highlights in coordination with stakeholders.
• Ensure timely inwarding, dispatch, and availability of launch merchandise.
• Drive exclusive merchandise planning and launch initiatives for Pantaloons.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales teams to ensure successful seasonal and brand launches.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Category Buying & Merchandising
• Retail Analytics & Business Planning
• Inventory Management & Replenishment
• Vendor & Brand Management
• Merchandise Planning
• Fashion Trend Forecasting
• Negotiation & Commercial Acumen
• Data Analysis & Decision Making
• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management
• Advanced Excel and Retail MIS