Merchandise & Planning Director (member MT)

The organisation

The company is the leading value for money optical retailer in the Benelux with a presence in Sweden and offers a range of private label and branded spectacles (as well as hearing aids, contact lenses and sunglasses) at average price points significantly below its major competitors. The company operates 408 stores, of which [260] in the Netherlands, [111] in Belgium and [37] stores in Sweden). The Dutch and Belgian stores are company operated, while the stores in Sweden are a mix between owned and franchise stores. 

Operating in a market where independent retailers still hold a significant share of the market and continue to lose share, the company is the most well-known optical retailer with 97% brand awareness and a NPS score that is well ahead of direct competitors. The core brand is well-known for its attractive value-for-money product offering with a large range of high quality frames, hearing aids, lenses and sunglasses. 

A leading mid-market private equity investor invested in the company in May 2017 to back an ambitious international growth agenda, consisting of driving store operational excellence, expanding and refurbishing its store network in the Benelux, creating leading omni-channel capabilities and driving further international growth through acquisitions.

The position

This position leads all aspects of the strategic development and execution of merchandise planning, pricing, space optimization, assortment planning with localization, optimizing the product life cycle to maximize margins and allocation planning and execution in order to achieve sales, margin, turn and other KPI’s. The Merchandise & Planning Director develops the overall strategic vision, policies, resources and execution plans to align to the corporate strategy.

Up until now the expertise of Merchandise within the company is a fairly unexplored area so the new Merchandise & Planning Director will be given the opportunity to form, expand and develop the Merchandise & Planning department from scratch. The board offers full support in this process since this area of expertise is considered crucial for the further development of the organisation. 

In order to be successful the Merchandise & Planning Director will work closely with the Buying Department, that is briefed by Merchandise, based on data analytics, trends, etc. Merchandise can be considered as the conscience of Buying. This all takes place in a local, national and international context. Furthermore the Merchandise & Planning Director will collaborate with Retail Operations regarding sales driving opportunities, execute category marketing plans with the Marketing department and will work closely together with Supply Chain. The Merchandise & Planning Director will report to the CEO and is part of the company’s Management Team.

Candidate profile

For this crucial senior management position the company wants to attract an energetic and no-nonsense retail professional who is analytical, inspiring, engaging and not afraid to roll up his/her sleeves. Playing a crucial part in the growth and change of an organisation makes him/her tick! The ideal candidate brings best in class Merchandise, Planning and Pricing experience and has a clear vision on the business. He/she is very results-oriented, collaborative, has an entrepreneurial mind-set. The Merchandise & Planning Director will be part of an enthusiastic Management Team which is eager and motivated to take this beautiful Dutch brand to the next level in an international growing environment. 

• The ideal Merchandise & Planning Director brings the following experience/background:
• University degree or comparable;
• (International) retail experience for at least 15 years ideally in high service formats with a passion for value retail, preferably fashion oriented;
• Best in class retail background in Merchandise/ Pricing of which at least 3 years as a member of the Management Team;
• Experience in buying is a preference;
• Financially savvy & strong analytical skills; fast thinker;
• Passion for branding, styling and trends;
• Preferably experience in working for Private Equity;
• Decisive leader with strong collaboration skills;
• Dutch (native) and English speaking.

The offer

Competitive compensation package.

Interested? 

You can apply to this position by using the link below. For more information please contact Quaestus Executive Leadership, office: + 31 (0)73 615 47 00.