BENJAMIN SALOMON
Senior Merchandiser
Ho Man Tin,Kowloon
Summary
Experienced Senior Merchandise Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the footwear and apparel industry. Proven track record in product development, merchandising management and GTM process. In-depth knowledge of sporting goods and street wear industries.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
27
27
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Senior Regional DTC Merchandising Manager
New Balance International Ltd
Hong Kong, China
10.2021 - 10.2024
- Company Overview: (Hong Kong) - Senior Regional DTC Merchandising Manager (Men, Women & Kids footwear, apparel and accessories)
- Responsible for creating and implementing DTC footwear and apparel merchandising strategies for all APAC direct markets (HK, TW, SG, MY, AUS, NZ, SAF, UEA) in collaboration with Global guidelines and market needs
- Following up retail KPIs (sell thru, UPT/APV, foot traffic, inventory coverage, in-store marketing, marketplace information, etc) with Subsidiaries during weekly meeting
- Creating seasonal monthly flow per markets SKU plan for all categories and distribution's segmentations (inline Retail, Outlets, E-com)
- Presentation of seasonal strategies & inline products to Markets during Go To Market milestones & sales meetings
- Representing APAC DTC team at global meeting
- Retail Staff training material creation and presentation
- (Hong Kong) - Senior Regional DTC Merchandising Manager (Men, Women & Kids footwear, apparel and accessories)
Senior Merchandiser Manager
VF Hong Kong
04.2017 - 09.2021
- Company Overview: - Vans APAC Senior Merchandiser Manager - Footwear Action Sport categories
- Responsible for action sports footwear product merchandising strategies for all APAC Markets
- Responsible for gross margins and retail pricing for 5 subsidiaries markets (HK, CN, KR, MY & SG)
- Creating seasonal monthly flow per markets for all distribution's segmentations (Direct Retail, Wholesale & Franchise partners & E-com)
- Presentation of product line & seasonal strategies to Sales and Marketing during Go To Market meetings, Initial & Final line reviews meetings
- Creating briefs to US team on APAC SKU needs, design trends and price points and representing the region during Global meetings
- Working with in-house design & development team to create localized APAC product line and SMU
- Responsible for Product Development calendar creation and maintenance
- Staff training material creation and presentation
- - Vans APAC Senior Merchandiser Manager - Footwear Action Sport categories
Merchandiser & Product Manager
VF Hong Kong
08.2013 - 04.2017
- Company Overview: - VANS APAC Merchandiser & Product Manager - Men Apparel & Accessories
- Responsible for men apparel and accessories product assortments and strategies for all APAC Markets
- Responsible for gross margins and retail pricing for Men apparel & Accessories categories for 5 subsidiary markets (HK, CN, KR, MY & SG)
- Creating monthly flow per markets (SKU plan) for all distribution's segmentations (Direct Retail, Wholesale & Franchise partners & E-com)
- Presentation of product line & seasonal strategies to Sales and Marketing during Go To Market meetings, Initial & Final line reviews meetings
- Creating briefs to US team on APAC SKU needs, design trends and price points and representing the region during Global meetings
- Working with in-house design & development team to create localized APAC product line and SMU
- Responsible for Product Development calendar creation and maintenance
- Staff training material creation and presentation
- - VANS APAC Merchandiser & Product Manager - Men Apparel & Accessories
Sales & Merchandiser Footwear & Apparel Manager
VF Hong Kong
04.2011 - 08.2013
- Company Overview: - Reef & Pro-Tec - APAC Sales & Merchandiser Footwear & Apparel Manager
- In charge of all aspects of Reef and Pro-Tec business development in APAC (sales, product, marketing) focussing on SEA and ANZ
- Managing various business models: 13 distributors, 2 licensees and 1 direct market
- Drafting 5 years plans in coordination with VF finance and global sales teams
- Forecasting sales per seasons / markets
- Setting up pricing and sales targets for each Distributors
- Contract negotiation with Distributors
- Implementing global sales and marketing strategies in the region
- Representing APAC in sales and product meetings at Reef and Pro-Tec HQ
- Creating Merchandising SKU plan for retail stores and wholesalers (monthly flow per markets)
- Briefing US product teams on APAC needs (SKU plans)
- - Reef & Pro-Tec - APAC Sales & Merchandiser Footwear & Apparel Manager
Category Manager
VF International
12.2004 - 03.2011
- Company Overview: - Vans & Pro-Tec EMEA Category Manager - Equipment (Snowboard boots, Outerwear & Protective gear) based in London & Lugano, CH
- Managing all aspects of Fall 10 and Fall 11 Vans EMEA outerwear line (design, development, production, commercialization)
- Briefing Vans global team on EMEA needs
- Representing EMEA in global product and sales meetings
- Creating sales and product workbook to train EMEA sales team
- Presenting product lines to buyers (key account & independent retailers) and Vans sales reps
- Organizing sales meetings and tradeshows
- Creating product reports and sales analysing
- Pricing by markets and currencies based on various business models (subsidiaries and distributors)
- Managing sample process, from sample orders to production and delivery
- Keeping track of bulk production and delivery
- - Vans & Pro-Tec EMEA Category Manager - Equipment (Snowboard boots, Outerwear & Protective gear) based in London & Lugano, CH
Buyer
Snowbox
12.2003 - 05.2004
- Company Overview: (Montgenèvre, ski resort in the French Hautes-Alpes) Snowboard & Ski & Mountain bike shop
- From 1996, I have been taking part as buyer in trade shows on behalf of the shop
- Advising and assisting customers
- Assisting in the day to day running of the shop
- Liaising with suppliers
- (Montgenèvre, ski resort in the French Hautes-Alpes) Snowboard & Ski & Mountain bike shop
Client Manager
Union Financière de France
07.2003 - 11.2003
- Company Overview: (Paris) Private bank in asset management
- Follow up with existing clients
- Meetings with prospective clients
- Presentation of new products to attract further investment
- (Paris) Private bank in asset management
Organizing Team Member
Coys of Kensington
12.2002 - 05.2003
- Company Overview: (London) Auction House of classic cars
- Part of the organizing team
- Setting up of the auction catalogue and lots (car & memorabilia)
- Liaising with clients especially with French speaking customers
- (London) Auction House of classic cars
Buyer
Snowbox
12.2001 - 05.2002
- Company Overview: (Montgenèvre, ski resort in the French Hautes-Alpes) Snowboard and Ski shop
- Since 1996, I have been taking part as buyer in trade shows on behalf of the shop
- Advising and assisting customer
- Assisting in the day to day running of the shop
- (Montgenèvre, ski resort in the French Hautes-Alpes) Snowboard and Ski shop
Acquisitions and Company Development Intern
The Chamber of Commerce Paris/Val-de-Marne
07.2001 - 12.2001
- Company Overview: work placement
- Acquisitions and Company development department; within the organization of the 'Young Company Trophy of the Val de Marne'
- Realization of a study on the economic potential of young companies in Val de Marne
- Analysis of their global development strategies
- Financial analysis of the companies
- Compilation of a 50-page summary of the findings
- Work placement
Intern
Best Value Sourcing Ltd
11.2000 - 02.2001
- Company Overview: (London) work placement
- Creation of a B2B database for professional buyers of the FMCG sectors
- Researching information about food manufacturers for the database
- Presentation of the database to potential clients
- (London) work placement
Sales Coordinator
Johanna Ho / I limited
01.1998 - 01.2001
- Company Overview: (London and Hong Kong) student jobs
- Assisting fashion designer Johanna Ho as sales co-coordinator at the tradeshow Tranoï during Paris Fashion Week twice a year
- (London and Hong Kong) student jobs
Education
Postgraduate Degree in International Territorial P - Economics, Marketing, Information System, English,
University Paris XII Val De Marne
Creteil 09.2000 - 12.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Economics, Public And Private Law
University Paris XII Val De Marne
Creteil 09.1995 - 06.1998
Skills
Product managenement
Business analysis
Retail KPI
Product creation
Leadership
Cross fonctionality
Apparel
Shoes
Product develpoment
Brand strategy
GTM process
Timeline
Senior Regional DTC Merchandising Manager
New Balance International Ltd
10.2021 - 10.2024
Senior Merchandiser Manager
VF Hong Kong
04.2017 - 09.2021
Merchandiser & Product Manager
VF Hong Kong
08.2013 - 04.2017
Sales & Merchandiser Footwear & Apparel Manager
VF Hong Kong
04.2011 - 08.2013
Category Manager
VF International
12.2004 - 03.2011
Buyer
Snowbox
12.2003 - 05.2004
Client Manager
Union Financière de France
07.2003 - 11.2003
Organizing Team Member
Coys of Kensington
12.2002 - 05.2003
Buyer
Snowbox
12.2001 - 05.2002
Acquisitions and Company Development Intern
The Chamber of Commerce Paris/Val-de-Marne
07.2001 - 12.2001
Intern
Best Value Sourcing Ltd
11.2000 - 02.2001
Postgraduate Degree in International Territorial P - Economics, Marketing, Information System, English,
University Paris XII Val De Marne
09.2000 - 12.2024
Sales Coordinator
Johanna Ho / I limited
01.1998 - 01.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Economics, Public And Private Law
University Paris XII Val De Marne
09.1995 - 06.1998