Area Manager

Burberry - Kuwait

Job Description

A strategic & operational role to lead the Kuwait retail team & attain maximum profitability & brand profile in the Kuwait market. To ensure the stores operate at the highest levels of customer service & merchandising, providing an important interface between BME head office & Kuwait.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

RETAIL-LED GROWTH

To support the Burberry retail-led growth programme by looking for strategic expansion opportunities in the Kuwait region under the direction

SALES
• Understand the retail environment in Kuwait & suggest sales strategies to drive the full-price business in each country e.g. stock package, customer profile, incentives, marketing
• Work with local managers to ensure each store effectively uses space & stock available to maximise sales & minimise stock shrinkage
• Ensure that merchandise is displayed effectively adhering to global merchandising & visual standards
• Achievement of sales budget through team motivation & merchandise assortment
• Ensure that all managers are trained in selling techniques & product knowledge so they can create an effective & productive selling team within their store
• Prioritise & initiate Company objectives through the line management within the store
• Be aware of competitor activity & communicate this to the team & head office
• Recommend & initiate incentives to drive sales
• Review / monitor store sales performance against budget & recommend / initiate appropriate action

MERCHANDISE
Work closely with the buying & merchandising team to ensure the following:

• Stores have correct stock levels & provide guidance to the teams where necessary
• Stock is monitored within the stores to identify fast & slow sellers then recommend appropriate action
• Effective use of stock using inter-store transfers
• Effective feedback is provided to buyers / merchandisers ensuring that popular selling lines are replenished on time & nuances of the market are communicated
• Work closely with the buyers & merchandisers to meet budgeted turnover & profit figures
• Collaborate with the buyers & merchandisers on proposed re-orders, mark downs, transfers to outlets
• Work closely with the Visual team to ensure global merchandising standards are adhered to in all stores & window displays
• Provide statistical analysis for buying process

CONTROLLABLE COSTS
• Control stock loss within the stores & implement stock audits
• Control of all store administration through team management

SECURITY / H&S
• Ensure company procedures on security are adhered to
• If required, to be available to attend alarm outside of normal working hours
• Ensure the store management team train their staff on the following:
- Cash handling
- Credit authorisation
- Arrangement of staff purchases
- Reporting of stock, cash & loss
- Correct processing of paperwork

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & STAFF TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT
• Lead & motivate the teams with appropriate reward & incentives to foster a high performance culture
• Cascade communications from head office to store management & their teams
• Hold regular team meetings to ensure management team working towards the sales strategy for Kuwait
• Hold regular performance reviews with the management team & set objectives that are aligned with the company strategy
• Initiate appropriate training initiatives for management team & employees in the region
• Ensure the managers appraise their team’s performance regularly & during the probationary period & annually
• Recruit high calibre staff & manage their induction & performance effectively
• Apply Company Disciplinary & Grievance Procedures appropriately & correctly & in conjunction with the HR Manager

MARKETING
• Work closely with BME Marketing to carry out & suggest store events, advertising & promotional activity to drive sales

Skills

• Customer service skills
• Senior retail management experience - preferably for a luxury retailer
• Fluent spoken knowledge of another language
• Excellent communication skills
• Team player
• Proactive
• Flexible
• Ability to work under pressure
• Computer literate
• Numerate