Store Development Associate, Partners' Territories Milano

Store Development Associate, Partners' Territories
Milano
Lombardia, Milano

Position Overview

**Responsible for the coordination, management and effective delivery of processes required for the execution, installation and renovation of new partner TR stores in PT/EMEA/LATAM.

Key aspects will be ensuring that all procedures are followed and respected according to agreed schedules and budgets, while nurturing effective communication and collaboration amongst internal and external parties.

**To contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and review of the business strategy, working with the retail partners and the Ralph Lauren sales team to maximize the retail net profit by driving sales and customer experience; working in partnership with the retail partners to build motivated and high performing teams through the effective leadership and development of skills and product knowledge.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

**Business Development**:

- Partner with internal RL Departments (Travel Retail Sales' Team, Finance, Merchandising, etc. )

to support them on initial discussions for new projects and renovations

- Support on the selection of new potential locations and propose Financial ROI/PDS for each location

- Be the privileged contact for all local partners and support them on all new project opening proposals (knowledge of Local market, Local customs, Retail environment etc.

)

- Be the privileged contact with Finance/Construction/A&D Teams to ensure that the Capex requirements are respected

**Project Management**:

- Manage the operations connected with implementation of the new TR store, remodel or refit

- Influence the management of each project by actively hosting key openings meetings/calls

- Manage scheduling and all aspects of the store opening and remodel process in partnership with Design, Sales, Merchandising, VM, Marketing & Creative

- Monitor the build-out schedule, highlight and approach possible bottlenecks

- Create all templates needed for the project

- Monitor and archive all documents, information and files related to each project

- Maintain and update the database related to projects both for partner stores and corners

- Work to continually improve current processes and practices, providing input on store design standards to ensure operational efficiency

- Define and track measures of success on opening performance, based on business results & partners' feedback

- Manage Legal documents concerning new, existing and closing corners/stores

- Facilitate logistic, shipments and installations

- Travel to the regions to coordinate store/corner opening installations

- Participate in preparing the executive presentation upon store opening

**Finance Management**:

- Prepare the Cost Analysis Template at the beginning of each project, with the aim of keeping track of all costs related projects, from estimates to quotes and actual costs

- Find adapted solutions in case of budget increase or market constraints

- Make sure all Purchase Order related to projects are issued, approved and received

- Monitor payments of invoices related to projects

- Work on Cost Reconciliation with internal and external partners

- Actively work on key learnings by macro regions (local vendors) to improve cost of stores/corners

**Maintenance**:

- Manage maintenance of existing TR Corners

- Manage RL Maintenance Budget in coordination with TR Business unit

- Facilitate Partner's planning of owned Maintenance Budget

- Attend Market Visits to assess situation of POS/Best practices

- Work with Partner and Supplier to maintain all POS

- Scouting local vendors

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

- At least 2 years experience in retail environment or project managemnet

- Fluent in English (native a plus)

- Open-minded & proactive Team player, with a strong sense of initiative

- Able to work under pressure and to prioritize workloads to meet strict deadlines

- "Hands on" attitude & ability to multi-task

- Excellent interpersonal skills (diplomacy & cross-cultural communication)

- Willingness to learn and to share knowledge

- Ability to build partnerships both internally and externally

- Able to work on own initiative with problem solving attitude

- Solution oriented

- Excellent time management skills

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills

- Excellent organization skills

- Excellent Excel skills

- Open to travel (up to 30%)

- Degree in business, management in fashion or economics

- Background in business administration or finance a plus

- Additional foreign languages a plus (Spanish, Arabic, French)

- Store Development Associate, Partners' Territories and Travel Retail