Rhian Walker
Melbourne,VIC
Summary
Demonstrates strong analytical, communication and teamwork skills, with a proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Results-oriented achiever with a proven ability to exceed targets and drive success in fast-paced environments. Combines team-work, strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Buying, Planning & Trading Manager (Retail)
Adidas
01.2024 - Current
- Streamlined internal processes to improve efficiency and accuracy in trading operations.
- Mentored junior traders, sharing expertise and guiding their professional growth within the organization.
- Contributed to ongoing process improvements through regular assessment of internal controls and identification of areas needing enhancement.
- Ensured regulatory compliance across all trading operations by keeping abreast of changing industry rules and guidelines.
- Optimized portfolio management, balancing risk and reward for optimal returns on investment.
- Reduced risk factors for the company by conducting thorough assessments of potential investments.
- Provided leadership to a team of traders, fostering collaboration and maintaining high performance standards.
- Implemented advanced quantitative models to inform decision-making processes in trading activities.
- Proactively identified areas for improvement in organizational processes, proposing solutions to enhance overall efficiency.
- Increased profits by identifying and capitalizing on profitable opportunities within the market.
- Drove volume growth within [Type] segment and maintained trade profitability.
Buying, Planning & Trading Manager (Retail)
Adidas & Reebok
07.2019 - 12.2023
- Lead a team of 5 direct reports (total team 8) to create segmented product assortments across own retail concept store, factory outlets and franchise store formats, annual sales turnover 92m Euro
- Ownership to drive cross functional teams, to forecast and manage inventory, OTB, develop pricing and promotional strategies to encourage a positive consumer brand experience and achieve companies sales and inventory targets
- Create, lead and communicate company presentations of seasonal product stories, financials, strategies to APAC executives
- Manage seasonal GTM process across DTC to ensure all key milestones across PAC and APAC are maintained
- Lead strategic store segmentation, seasonal sales and product plans inline with global strategy
- Drive consumer insight, sales feedback to APAC brand business units to assist with future product opportunities and plans
- Increased profits by identifying and capitalizing on profitable opportunities within the market.
- Mentored junior traders, sharing expertise and guiding their professional growth within the organization.
- Conducted rigorous research on global economic trends to inform strategy development and create a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Global Buyer
2XU
08.2017 - 07.2019
- Reporting to the GM Retail, manage a team of 2 direct reports.
- Responsible for the global DTC assortments across Apparel, Specialist Sports and Accessories. Strategically manage OTB, curate option plans & product assortments with design and planning teams
- Created In season trading management tools, including volume/line cards to deliver sales, margin targets, pricing and markdown management
- Lead consumer insights, feedback, end of season analysis to assist future product and strategic plans
- Developed new product lifecycle processes in outlet to increase profitability, increase UPT and productive stock turn
- Identified clear buying product strategies and processes, ST% targets, ROS, qty hierarchy and segmentation to drive additional full price sales and enhance consumer experience
- Analyzed competitor offerings to identify opportunities for differentiation, especially during key promotional periods
- Provided training and guidance to junior team members on best practices in merchandising, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the procurement department.
Senior Buyer
Platypus
09.2016 - 08.2017
- Responsible for 3 direct reports across branded Footwear, Apparel and Accessories for 80+ stores and Ecom
- Plan and strategically manage dept pre/in/post-season trading, OTB, product assortment building and order placement to meet companies KPI’s
- Direct strategic partnerships with global brands such as Nike, Adidas, Vans, Dr Martens, Reebok
- Managing brand key stakeholders and contract management, including replenishments alongside Allocator and Planner
- Implemented a structured buying and seasonal analysis tool for brand sign off’s; helping identify opportunities within each brand to drive incremental sales & marketshare growth
- Monitor industry trends, conducting competitor analysis and gathering market knowledge, while ensuring dept opportunities are capitalised, resulting in market leadership
- Work cross functionally with teams, marketing, visual merchandising, Ecom, planning, distribution, retail operation
- Introduced product and brand store profiling to maximise commercial opportunity (Product mix and allocation strategy)
- Identified key brand opportunities to help drive growth for SS17 – key product shifts within the market. Increasing New Balance brand share mix from 2.5% to 4%, reducing MD% and positive margin growth. Adidas from 19% sales mix to 24% sales mix, reduced MD% YOY. (core line-card strategy)
- Co-created companies first WSSI/Merch Plan with Planning team to assist identifying sales opportunities and stock management
- Played an instrumental role in key project launches by managing all aspects of procurement from planning to execution. Launching new brands such as Reebok in 20 stores to launching Apparel in top 10 stores
Senior Buying Merchandiser
Witchery (woolworths Group)
10.2014 - 09.2016
- Reporting to the Buying & Production Manager with 1 direct report; responsible for the largest womenswear apparel portfolios, collaborating with the Designer and Design Manager (approx 48% apparel business pending season) to build the right product assortment to meet the consumer profile
- Strategically manage dept OTB, options plans, product development process and product ranging alongside a designer and planner
- Sourcing product end to end to maximise sales and profit, meeting company/dept KPI’s and objectives for the season
- Lead growth opportunities - Managing the core tender process, negotiating seasonal volume lines to obtain budgeted Intake Margin % and dept overall margin blend
- Assist with the strategic management of vendors, maintaining strong partnering relationships
- Manage the cost negotiation process, margin strategies, delivery/Inventory and fabric/yarn order placement
- Monitor industry trends, conducting competitor analysis and gathering market knowledge, while ensuring dept opportunities are capitalised, resulting in market leadership
- Regular sourcing and buying product trips
- Core seasonal tender – Improved FOB prices and Intake Margin % season on season (LFL quality and execution on product), results above groups strategy % target growth (AW16 & SS16)
- Implemented a structured product pricing architecture – maximising good,better,best structure, protecting market share and identifying growth opportunities within the categories
- Supplier relations- improved supplier balance of core vs fashion cut n sew range, resulting in improved overall seasonal +1% Intake Margin % blend
- Introduced trial opportunities in season, including regional and store specific trials, gaining better intel for volume orders
Buyer
the Iconic
02.2012 - 10.2014
- Reporting to the Buying Manager with 3 direct report; source, develop and range commercial assortments across private label in house brands
- Manage complete end to end process of the product range from initial product development to order negotiation/placement and delivery
- Responsible for department product supply base both local and international. Negotiated better payment terms with suppliers, improving cash flow management for company.
- Collaborating with planner, analyzed sales and inventory data to determine purchasing needs and reorder points
- Build seasonal trend analysis, consumer feedback/insights and seasonal key direction alongside Designer to drive seasonal stories and curated assortments
- Analyzed competitor offerings and purchasing trends to identify opportunities for differentiation and increase market share
- Successfully developed private label brand ATMOS & HERE, brand still trading today
- Introduced new product initiatives to the brand, denim, swimwear and activewear. Developed online product shop your fit with product developers to enhance consumer online experience
- Reduced procurement costs through strategic sourcing, competitive bidding, and effective negotiations.
- Developed cost-effective purchasing strategies to maintain inventory levels and improve operational procedures, such as identifying volume category opportunities, resulting in category specific vendor base resulting in a positive growth in Intake Margin % and beneficial supplier working terms
- Lead Buying people development, liaising with FBI college/internships for the company
Education
BSc - Sport Science
Brunel University
LondonDiploma - Buying/Merchandising
London College of Fashion
LondonSkills
- Communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Product Management
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Problem-solving
Accomplishments
- Developed new product lifecycle processes in outlet to increase profitability and positive stock turn.
- Identified clear buying product strategies and processes, ST% targets, ROS, qty hierarchy and segmentation to drive additional full price sales and enhance consumer experience.
- Implemented a structured buying and seasonal analysis tool for brand sign off’s; helping identify opportunities within each brand to drive increased/incremental sales, market share growth.
- Identified key brand opportunities to help drive growth for SS17 – key product shifts within the market. Increasing New Balance brand share mix from 2.5% to 4% and positive margin growth.
- Built companies first WSSI/Merch Plan with Planning team to assist identifying sales opportunities and stock management.
- Core seasonal tender – Improved FOB prices and Intake Margin % season on season.
- Implemented a structured product pricing architecture – maximising good, better, best structure, protecting market share and identifying growth opportunities within the categories.
Personality
- Resilient
- Pragmatic
- Empathetic
- Enthusiastic
- Collaborator
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Embracing outdoor adventures such as Hiking and Camping
- Road Trips
- Enjoy participating in Pilates & Yoga for overall physical and mental well-being
- Music
Timeline
Senior Buying, Planning & Trading Manager (Retail)
Adidas
01.2024 - Current
Buying, Planning & Trading Manager (Retail)
Adidas & Reebok
07.2019 - 12.2023
Global Buyer
2XU
08.2017 - 07.2019
Senior Buyer
Platypus
09.2016 - 08.2017
Senior Buying Merchandiser
Witchery (woolworths Group)
10.2014 - 09.2016
Buyer
the Iconic
02.2012 - 10.2014
Diploma - Buying/Merchandising
London College of Fashion
BSc - Sport Science
Brunel University
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