Manager, Buying

This position provides strategic oversight and directions in all retail buying & allocation activities in the ROA region, and drives activities to influence wholesale partners and distributors’ buy plan and strategies. Ensuring strong collaboration and alignment between pre-season and in-season actions, driving the business through strategic assortment planning, controlled inventory management, actionable reporting and insightful analysis to maximize sales and profitability.

In this role, you will work closely with Retail Planning, Ecommerce, Asia Pacific Distributor, Product, Marketing, VM, and Supply Chain to deliver revenue, margin and inventory productivity goal.

**Join the Timberland Family**

Manager, Buying and Allocation - Emerging Markets (Timberland NA & SEA)

**How You Will Make a Difference**

**_What you will do: _**
- Create assortment plan and flow strategy in units and dollars for all stores, buys and purchases orders each season in accordance with fiscal responsibilities such as sales, margin, turnover, and works alongside visual merchandising team to keep our business on top.
- Plans and executes buying options, quantity & quality of merchandise in accordance with customer demand, market trends, brand direction with respect to local nuances
- Support and engage in GTM process, from planning to actual execution by collaborating with key stakeholder.
- Drive and own in-season management.
- Own and partner with Retail Planning in conducting Seasonal Insight, Hind-sighting, and foresight to drive assortment efficiency through ST improvements, RSP opportunities, volume drivers and market specific adaptation.
- Participate in the continuous effort to improve buying process and strategies.
- The development of the team’s capabilities, analytical skills and business knowledge through coaching and on the job monitoring/training

**_How you will do it: _**
- Build a strong relationship with the Product Team & Country leads to collaborate on the assortment strategy & SMU creation to make retail needs known and catered in the APAC line.
- Drive and engage with Country Channel leads, Retail Planning & Retail Buying Team to develop seasonal merchandise plans that reflect future opportunities and deficiencies.
- Partner with Retail Planning & Supply Planning Team on “chasing” or “reflowing” receipts as appropriate with consideration of commercial needs and operation constraints.
- Create flow strategy to balance overall Retail and Outlet store inventories for the company through timing the delivery of initial and replenishment distributions between DC, Visual Merchandising, and Store Operations to achieve the highest return on investment. Works with Visual Merchandising team on merchandising and schematics/floor plans for maximum volume impact and visual presentation.

**_What success looks like: _**
- Ensure a holistic point of view by market APAC and craft the best GTM plan to support achieving fiscal responsibilities.
- Maximize sales and inventory turn by coordinating with Retail Allocator & Retail Buyer with consolidations and model stock levels by store to drive improve stock availability, productivity, achieve sell through targets, and reduce overall markdown exposure.
- Collaborate with Retail Planning & Retail Market Leads to identify in season growth opportunities and minimize down-trending business.
- Support the implementation of new systems and raising efficiencies to ensure processes enhance workflow and optimized inventory to achieve financial plans

**Free to Be, Inclusion & Diversity**

As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness, and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, allowing them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

**Skills for Success**

Years of related professional experience: 6 years, preferably retail merchandising or buying (footwear & apparel) industry. 2 to 4 years in a supervisory role.

Retail operations and product (apparel or footwear) exposure to key markets in Asia preferred

Educational position requirements: A formal education and subsequent undergraduate/graduate degrees are nice to have, but we are most interested in your total experience and professional achievements.

**_What we expect you already know: _**
- An acute eye for product and trend
- Possess a deep understanding of marketplace, product and inventory planning with actions that are grounded in qualitative research, data, and insights.
- Strong financial and commercial acuity, showing good judgment in making decisions and problem solving.
- Strong organization and planning skills; ability to deliver results to a process and timeline
- Excellent partnership skills with the ability to build consensus, drive alignment, and positively inspire results with partners.
- Proficient in MS Excel, PowerPoint, BI tools. Ex