VP, Global Inventory Management

VP, Inventory Management

Location: Singapore

About the Company

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of home furnishings in the United States and Canada. Our brands are among the best known and respected in the industry, including Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, and West Elm. We successfully market our brands through three major channels – retail stores, catalogs, and the internet. One of the key growth strategies for Williams-Sonoma Inc. is global expansion. This expansion will be done through company-owned & operated stores/DTC channels, and through strategic franchise partnerships.

This position will be our leader for WSI’s Global Inventory Management Team, which consists of the planning, order management, wholesale and strategic functions of the business.

About the Role

The responsibility will include planning and purchasing for our company owned stores and websites as well as the purchasing for our franchise partners. This position will develop and execute brand level financial and merchandising plans while also executing inventory strategies to service our customers, maximizing sales, and profits. International travel to our global stores, suppliers, and distribution centers may be made to identify opportunities, improve processes, and resolve issues. This position will also manage the career development of the inventory management team by developing specific measurable goals and objectives for the team. Demonstrating leadership ability is key to ensure consistent priorities are achieved for the team.

You’re excited about this opportunity because you will...

• Develop annual financial plans for presentation and approval by executive committee
• Provide forecasts and sales, inventory and margins for the concept department and/or item for organization (management, finance, merchants, etc.)
• Communicate inventory position, budget (OTB), financial re-forecast to Head of Global
• Demonstrate leadership to the workforce and communicate overall strategy and financial goals across all functions at the organization
• Identify business opportunities and implement appropriate action to maximize financial objectives
• Review current business and take appropriate action to maximize inventory productivity (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Develop and submit monthly daily sales to finance
• Review business and strategy with executive merchandising staff. Identify trends, opportunities and actions necessary to maximize objectives
• Manage inventory flow to ensure appropriate in-stock rates are achieved for floor set and catalog drops
• Maximize inventory opportunities and minimize liabilities for the brand by partnering with mail order and internet distribution channels
• Be an active leader in recruiting, hiring and development of staff to maximize retention
• Hire, mentor, educate and develop staff

Why you will love working at Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

• We’re a successful, fast-growing company with an entrepreneurial vibe
• A technologically and data-driven business
• Competitive salaries and comprehensive health benefits
• We’re at the forefront of tech and retail, redefining technology for the next generation
• We’re passionate about our internal and external clients and live/breathe the client experience
• We get to be creative daily
• A smart, experienced leadership team that wants to do it right and is open to new ideas
• We believe in autonomy and reward taking initiative
• We have fun!

You should possess the following technical skills…

• Deep understanding of numerous networking protocols such as OSPF, BGP, VRRP, DNS, DHCP, proxy functions (forward and reverse), security protocols (IPSec, SSL, etc.), real-time protocols for voice (Skinny, SIP, H.323, MGCP), in addition to WAN communications protocols including MPLS, DWDM, OC carrier, BRI/PRI
• Familiarization with cloud/storage services
• Basic scripting skills in Python, Perl, iRules, TCL, Chef/Puppet or Go is a plus

You should possess the following qualifications and competencies…

• More than 10 years of retail experience
• More than 5 years of people management experience
• More than 5 years of inventory planning and distribution experience
• You must possess a tertiary qualification in Supply Chain Management, Business Management or other relevant qualifications
• Meticulous and detail-oriented with strong follow through
• Strong analytical, problem solving and organizational skill
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and work in a fast paced, collaborative environment
• Ability to deliver results by influencing internal and external partners
• Strong international business acumen