CDD Senior Merchandiser

This position is a short term contract (CDD) from middle of september to middle of january.

Overview and purpose of role:

Reporting to the EMEI Merchandising & Planning Director, the Senior Merchandising & Buying Men EMEI oversees the buying and merchandising operations for the Men's Shoes and Leather Goods category across EMEI, representing around 45 opened POS at present, plus ecommerce platforms. You will drive the strategy for the categories, contribute to increase sales and achieve ST on the category.

This position will be responsible for supervising product selection, optimizing product performance, and assisting with new projects and strategic developments across the EMEI region.

The Senior Merchandising & Buying Men EMEI that the business is supported by providing accurate and commercially aware retail analysis and information.

Key Responsibilities of the role:

Leads the team in driving product performance and achieving Company Sell Thru targets and financial goals by developing and selecting brand-aligned seasonal assortments, as well as optimizing products in-season across all categories in stores.

1/Buying on Men Categories for EMEI

• Analyze previous seasons performance with the support of the Buyer and Intern to prepare the buying analysis and the store clustering
• Partner with Planning to create the buy plan for the category
• Work hand in hand with the Global Men business division to ensure the global message is translated at region level, whilst ensuring our regional needs are taken into consideration
• Define the carry over needs to protect the business
• of the Fashion buy for Men categories for EMEI:
• the buying strategy for the season
• closely with retail team to differentiate what products sell in which region and buy accordingly
• forecasts on men’s lines based on past performances and seasonal sales trends
• volume drivers and ensure unified assortment mix for consistent presentation of brand
• the model stock per store for the launch and the adequate bulk order for replenishment
• the store assortment to the store profile
• and lead the team in the use and optimization of the buying tool

2/ Merchandising responsibilities

Perform weekly analysis of product sell through and provide analysis on business performance to inform on actions to take

• Work closely with the men Business Division, sharing regular sales reports, product needs, training or exclusives requests
• forward recommendations on retail prices for the men’s shoes category
• the team are actively working on stock consolidations across the retail business including the warehouse, boutiques, concessions and the factory.
• hand in hand with Permanent Planner to guarantee consistency between fashion and permanent
• very closely with the Fashion Planner to ensure a smooth store replenishment, and anticipate actions needed on model stock, based on trend, marketing, and store feedbacks.
• with Retail Directors and the EMEI Merchandising and Planning Director to assist with the planning of the merchandising and retail calendars, including new launches, sales periods, sample sales, deliveries and inventory
• with the retail merchandisers on product training plans for all new launches.
• out a consistent competitive analysis (trends, product offer, price positioning)
• the team is up to date with the latest global and local trends, aware of the competition and anticipate its impact
• a strong relationship with the store managers, and animate regular calls or market visits to understand store specificity and their clientele
• travelling to stores

3/ Management of a team

• to coach and develop your team whilst identifying training needs and facilitating or managing as necessary. Ability to provide constructive, straightforward feedback to develop the team.
• Leadership and guidance. Develop team members’ skills and ensure goals are achieved
• high performance standards thru Coaching, training, and development. Perform ongoing talent assessments.

Skills and Requirements

In order to deliver the main responsibilities of the role, you will need the following skills:

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate school degree / BAC+5 / Master
• 8 years’ experience in Merchandising and Buying in fashion
• Significative experience in luxury
• Knowledge and passion for men shoes and accessories market
• Previous experience in management mandatory
• Fluent French and English mandatory. Other languages are appreciated.

Required Soft skills to be successful:

• Ability to work in a complex and fast paced environment
• Excellent attention to detail
• Someone who uses initiative with a hands-on approach and the ability to prioritise
• Adaptable and flexible. Must be comfortable with change and willing to adapt as required to the needs of the business
• Strong communication skills, able to clearly explain their findings and pose relevant questions
• Motivated and committed with a ‘can do’ positive attitude. Able to meet the demands with high energy levels.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team and willing to perform varied tasks depending on the needs of the business. Proactive, dynamic and have a willingness to learn and develop.
• Able to inspire the team: envision the future with confidence, creativity and freedom.

How will success be measured?

• will be set bi-annual targets on sell thru, sales… in your area, which you are required to achieve.
• a yearly basis with a bi annual follow-up, you will have a performance review with targets to still improve your performance based on:
• core company values and behaviors, which are expected to be demonstrated at all times.
• work: you are expected to deliver as part of a team at all times and supporting and mentoring if necessary new team members as required.
• are expected to respect Company processes, procedures and values..
• manager will be expected to provide you with ongoing appropriate feedback to support your improvement where necessary and appropriate as required.

Our business and our Values:

Christian Louboutin opened his first boutique in Paris in 1992. An artist and craftsman with a true passion for shoes, his designs are unique and instantly recognizable, thanks in part to their signature and now trademarked red lacquered soles. The collections for both men and women combine wit, glamour, elegance and technical proficiency like no other. 2014 welcomed the launched of Christian Louboutin Beaute with its first nail colour, Rouge Louboutin. The collection has continued to diversify since then with the launch of lip in 2015, fragrance in 2016 and more recently a wonderful eye collection in 2017. With an extensive range of collections, Christian Louboutin now counts more than 160 boutiques globally.

Our people are at the heart of our brand.

We celebrate individuality and allow the freedom to have responsibility, autonomy and creativity within your role. Our colleagues have in common the passion and dedication to our Brand, and its continued success.

We live by our values:

We are down to earth – we stand with authenticity, integrity and respect. We have passion – we drive our business with agility, commitment and care. We have happiness in all that we do – we collaborate with positivity, open-mindedness and fun. We work with inspiration – we envision the future with confidence, creativity and freedom.

If the shoe fits, walk with us…

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Maison Christian Louboutin is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to recruitment practices that do not discriminate against any job applicant because of their race, color, gender, age, nationality, culture(s), religion, sex, physical or mental disability, or age. We believe that a culture of diversity and individuality fosters our core values we listed above. So, if you also share this mindset and these values and you dream of coloring your soles red as part of the Louboutin adventure, please join us

After receiving your application and if selected, our recruiters will ask you to do a pre-recorded video interview.

Please note that if you don’t hear from us within 3 weeks after having submitted your application, you should consider your profile has not been selected.