Merchandising Responsibility

ContentsI. IntroductionII. TasksIII. SourcingIV. TimeV. PeopleVI. CommunicationVII.ChangeVIII. ThinkIX. Open Discussion

I. Introduction• Merchandising

– In the broadest sense, merchandising is any practice which contributes to the sale of products to a retail consumer

– Procurement/Purchasing/Liaison/Coordinating/Sourcing……

• SCM – Supply Chain Management– Supply chain management is the management of a network of

interconnected businesses involved in the provision of product and service packages required by the end customers in a supply chain

– A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information, and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer

Life Cycle

II. Tasks(i) Sourcing

- Identifying, evaluating new vendors according to the compliance and requirements

(ii) Product Development/Sampling- Coach factories and evaluate their understanding of PD’s needs to ensure that the product standards conform to PD’s requirements

(iii) Costing/Price Negotiation- Maintain margin and competiveness

(iv) Production- Ensure quality standards are met

(v) Shipment- Ensure shipping on time- Proper documentations

III. Sourcing

• Identify perfect match of products and vendors• Do not stop until you find the prefect fit

– Right price– Right quality– Experience – On time delivery– Good service/cooperative (reliable)– Understand our requirements (no communication problems)– Capable to pass factory audit– Back up sourcing

IV. Time• Finish your tasks on time?

– Are you spending too much time on single task?

• Priority– must have sense of urgency– Arrange tasks in correct sequence according to level of urgency

• Compare pace with others– Ask the questions: why am I always slower?– How can I improve effectiveness?

V. People• Relationship Management

– create partnerships/ maintain a level of communication • Among team members• Between VBC and Vendors• Between VBC and US partners

• Leadership– Leadership is organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal– Act as a role model– Provide guidance/coaching/training to team members– Provide framework or areas of concentration

• Appropriate tasks allocation and proper job distribution

– Team building and maintenance• Create and maintain a strong bond among members• work together towards the same goal• work closely as a family, we are on the same boat

– Refresh & Polish• Review results and provide improvement plans

– Nurture development & foster accomplishment• improve awareness and identity, develop and identify talents and potential, enhance quality of work

VI. Communication•Externally

•Liaising with US partners, vendors• Internally

•Team members•Various departments in VBC

•Effective communication skills•able to articulate clearly, either in writing or in his speech, so that the audience grasps what is the true meaning behind his words

•Express in clear & simple manner so that it is easy to understand•Deliver your message accurately to eliminate misunderstanding

•Efficient communication•Require quick response and prompt action

•Soft skills•Soft Skills are behavioral competencies. Also known as Interpersonal Skills, or people skills, they include proficiencies such as communication skills, conflict resolution and negotiation, personal effectiveness, creative problem solving, strategic thinking, team building, influencing skills and selling skills, to name a few

•Good English•Improve command of verbal and written English•Practice, practice, practice…….

VII. Change• Risk management

– The strategies to manage risk typically include transferring the risk to another party, avoiding the risk, reducing the negative effect or probability of the risk, or even accepting some or all of the potential or actual consequences of a particular risk

– What if…….?– Be prepared for sudden changes

• Calm down and think, do not panic

• Problem solving skills– recognize the problem, define the problem, develop a strategy to fix the problem– Consult others

• Ask questions• Request assistance

– Identify options/alternatives• “2 hands preparation”• Plan A, plan B, plan C……

• Don’t just sit there, act immediately!

VIII. Think• Not only follow up, but also think….• Be creative

– Utilize your talents– Possess self confidence– Willing to take on new initiatives– Bring fresh perspectives and ideas– Inspire innovative thinking

IX. Open Discussion

• Problems encountered• Weekly open report• Price negotiation• MOQ• Surcharge (unexpected extra costs)• Shipments delayed• Air or not air• SGS testing • Factory audit• Defective quality• Uncooperative vendors• Etc…