Retail Merchandising Manager

Title: Retail Merchandising ManagerLocation: New York NY - hybrid (2 to 3 days in office)Contract: 5 Months and Possibility of ExtensionSpecific Skills Needed:Top 3-5 mandatory and/or minimum requirements:• Excel hard user• Finance basic• Power BIGENERAL FUNCTIONThe Retail Merchandising Sr Manager for AFA is responsible for the buying strategy, assortment and allocation for Apparel, Footwear, and Accessories for stores and Vaults.MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES• Partner with Global AFA team and Global AFA category team to work on collection development by sharing Retail NA needs• Develop assortment strategies and lead the buying and allocation end to end process for Retail NA stores in partnership with global teams.• Responsible for sharing the Smart Shopper assortment with global team• Partner with VM on the AFA drop to coordinate field teams activities• Lead product buying debrief with leadership and field teams as well as product knowledge materials.• Partner with Distribution Center to build the drop calendar, manage and allocate the AFA drops quantity and guarantee the right replenishment levels• Creates an efficient communication process between assortment execution team, Global AFA team, Global AFA category team and maintain good relationship with both sides.• Trouble shot product masterdata problems by partnering with masterdata team• Lead/coordinate AFA cross functional activities and projects with other leaders within the organization• Support projects that impact inventory movements (obsolete, NRR, stores to stores, reporting, etc. along with needed cross functional partners• Partner with Operation and Finance to deliver recurring requests (i.e. labor hours estimate, exclusion list)• Support cross functional department with ad hoc product request (samples, events, PR) and brief requests• Build and Manage reporting on performance and inventory• Lead reoccuring AFA product performance meetings• Manage End of season sales and markdown related activitiesBASIC QUALIFICATIONS• Bachelor’s degree in retail, finance, marketing or related fields• Working knowledge of Planning, Buying and Merchandising principles• Proficient computer skills, Excel, merchandising and planning systems (DPM, RPAS, Planning Files, AFS1, and FMS1)• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and system• Finance and accounting principles, able to communicate financial plans and results from a merchandise perspective• Strong analytical and mathematical skills - able to extract conclusions from available data• 5+ years’ work experience in retail planning, buying or merchandisingPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Experience working international teams and projectsExperience in buying and Apparel IndustryTop 3-5 mandatory and/or minimum requirements:• Excel hard user• Finance basic• Power BIPREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Experience working international teams and projects Experience in buying and Apparel Industry