Alice Zelencich
Yarraville,VIC
Summary
Dynamic leader with a successful track record at the Cotton On Group, skilled in trend analysis and strategic thinking. Proven ability to drive innovation whilst maintaining a commercial outlook, enhancing product offerings, and cultivating a positive work environment, delivering high impact results. Proficient in product development, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership, I excel under pressure, ensuring effective communication and creative solutions.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Product - Girlswear
Cotton On Kids
02.2023 - Current
- Overseeing a $140 million portfolio while reporting into the General Manager of Cotton On Kids, leading a team of twelve including buyers and product developers.
- Developing and implementing new strategies, inline with the brand strategy to achieve budgeted sales and consistent year on year growth across all categories for the Girlswear department, in partnership with key stakeholders. Accountable for the product assortment sign off for each market and meeting sales budgets, deliveries, achieving budgeted BIM targets, and driving product execution and innovation.
- Working closely with a team of Buyers to design and develop a global range for the Girlswear department that aligns with our brand DNA , that is customer focused, regionally appropriate, trend driven and cohesive across the Kidswear brand in conjunction with the trend, graphics, planning, and VM teams.
- Regularly reviewed competitor offerings to ensure our products remain at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.
- In conjunction with the planning manager, overseeing the budgeted spend, option plan and ensuring core items for the season are optimized. Leading the buyers and planners in implementing price and product tiering for each category and maximizing key drivers by building ‘big ideas’. Following a milestone framework and presenting to the GM and Director of Cotton On and key stakeholders to implement category and product strategies.
- Driving department performance through weekly, monthly and quarterly reviews. Identifying opportunities to maximize sales to ensure comp growth and budgets are being achieved and suggesting action for poor performers while managing any margin impact to provide positive results for the department.
- Partnering with the production manager, compliance and buying team to deliver to the critical path to ensure on time deliveries and the best product experience for our customer.
- Working closely with marketing, retail, and supply chain teams to ensure successful product launches and alignment on promotional strategies.
- Leading a team of up to twelve focusing on mentorship, succession planning and fostering relationships through trust and respect to ensure a harmonious and productive team.
Buying Manager - Footwear and Accessories
Cotton On Kids
03.2021 - 02.2023
- Managing a $60 million portfolio, reporting to the Head of Product for Cotton On Kids and leading a team of six buyers and product developers.
- Setting category strategies for the Footwear and Accessories department that align with the brand strategy, to achieve financial targets.
- Leading a team of buyers and product developers in applying the Brand DNA and partnering with trend to build cohesive and commercial product rages, while identifying and developing Big Ideas and key outfits, with a customer-focused approach. Working closely with the team on product approvals to ensure well executed and compliant product.
- Participating in weekly trade to maximise sales and manage inventory levels and conducting post seasonal reviews to apply insights to future product ranges and chase growth opportunities.
- Managing budgeted spend in conjunction with the planning manager, ensuring core items for the season are defined and optimized.
- Monitoring performance and competitor ranges to inform future product ranges.
- Partnering with the production manager to set supplier strategies and ensure critical path dates are met, while working closely with the compliance team to guarantee that products are safe and meet all regulatory standards for our customers.
- Leading the buying team to effectively communicate with suppliers to cultivate strong relationships, ensuring the production process is efficient, successful price negotiations, and that critical path milestones are met.
- Collaborating with all Brand functions including marketing, visual merchandising and ecommerce teams to ensure an exceptional product experience for our customers.
- Providing mentorship and coaching to a team of up to six members.
Global Category Buyer
Cotton On - Rubi
08.2019 - 03.2021
- 2019 - 2021 designed and developed a range of Towels, Headwear, Scarves and Socks, working back with the womenswear department to ensure cohesion across the brand. Delivered on all financial metrics, GP$ comp +75.4% Towels, +140% Headwear + Scarves and +20.7% Socks.
- 2016 - 2019 Launched Jewellery, Beauty and Body Home Spa into the RUBI business. Successful category growth for FY18 in Jewellery delivering 792% up on budget and Beauty delivering 101% up on budget resulting in a re-launch and accelerated growth plan for both categories. FY19 Beauty delivered a 128% GP$ growth and Jewellery 249% GP$ growth.
- Working back with production, sourced a new supplier base for cosmetics and jewellery, attending cosmoprof Bologna, Canton Fair and regular travel to Korea to source new suppliers and develop product, formulas and packaging for the launch of Beauty and Jewellery.
- Presenting in fortnightly meetings to the executive team, management and key stakeholders on launch progress, department results and strategy to achieve budget.
- Partnering closely with the store development team on fixtures and space to deliver an exception customer experience. Collaborating with marketing to build brand awareness through all channels.
- Weekly sales analysis and action to maximize department profitability through minimizing markdowns, promotional activity, stock management and delivery scheduling.
- Building solid relationships with factories and agents in China and South Korea. Diligently negotiating with vendors on costings to meet initial margin budgets without comprising items and/or ranges.
- Collaborating closely with the planner to manage budgeted spend. Implemented price and product tiering for each category. Conducting weekly sales reviews to evolve strategies and optimize sales results to ensure the budgeted sales plan is achieved and margin requirements are met.
- Managing, mentoring and developing a team of up to five, to create a productive and collaborative work environment that aligns with the Cotton On Group values.
Global Assistant Buyer - Swimwear & Accessories
Cotton On Body
02.2015 - 08.2016
Senior Product Developer - Swimwear
Cotton On Body
10.2012 - 02.2015
Product Developer - Active, Cut & Sew and Fleece
Cotton On Body
08.2010 - 10.2012
Product Assistant - Childrenswear
Willow and Finn
01.2008 - 01.2010
Education
Bachelor of Design (Fashion) -
RMIT University
Melbourne, VIC2007
Skills
Trend Analysis
Strategic Thinking
Product Development
Strong communication skills
Ability to work under pressure
High attention to detail
Solution Focused
Create and foster a positive & inclusive work environment
Advanced skills in Illustrator / MS Office
WGSN
Timeline
Head of Product - Girlswear
Cotton On Kids
02.2023 - Current
Buying Manager - Footwear and Accessories
Cotton On Kids
03.2021 - 02.2023
Global Category Buyer
Cotton On - Rubi
08.2019 - 03.2021
Global Assistant Buyer - Swimwear & Accessories
Cotton On Body
02.2015 - 08.2016
Senior Product Developer - Swimwear
Cotton On Body
10.2012 - 02.2015
Product Developer - Active, Cut & Sew and Fleece
Cotton On Body
08.2010 - 10.2012
Product Assistant - Childrenswear
Willow and Finn
01.2008 - 01.2010
Bachelor of Design (Fashion) -
RMIT University
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