Werner Krause

Experience

• 

  Wolpe Fashions

  Oct 1997 - Mar 2005

  Merchandiser/Designer

  Local Ladieswear Manufacturer, Cape Town.

• 

  Jacques Hau

  Jun 2005 - Dec 2007

  Senior Merchandiser/Designer

  Account: Woolworths Babywear and GirlswearAchievements: As merchandiser for girlswear, I was requested to take over the Babywear department as it was not performing well. We turned Babywear around, making it one of the most successful departments in Jacques Hau. Responsibilities:- Sourcing product for optimal sales and providing well-rounded range of merchandise to meet Woolworths quality standards and value for money.- Development of ranges, price negotiation and fit approvals.- Shopping trips to Europe and supplier trips to China.- Range presentation – consulting with buyers regarding selects, quantities, prices, specifications, delivery dates, etc.- Checking fit of all products in accordance with Woolworths standards and safety aspect of childrenswear.- Consulting with Woolworths Technologist and making changes for improvement.- Relationship building with new and existing suppliers.- Selecting and sourcing reliable suppliers – ensuring understanding/adherence to company terms and policies.- Supplier negotiation on cost price / quantity.- Constant supplier liaison, including fit comments, sketches and photographs.- Understanding of all company processes e.g. shipment, stock arrival and distribution.- Coordinating and supervising Assistant and Graphic Designer.- Problem solving, managing queries. Show less

• 

  Cieltex SA

  Jan 2008 - Dec 2012

  Account Manager

  Accounts: Markham/Sportscene/Exact/Truworths : Men’s and Ladies Knits, Woven’s, Knitwear. Achievements:Significant contribution to company’s growth (Cieltex) – achieved turnover growth from 29.5 mil in 2008 to 50.4 mil in 2011. Responsibilities:- Sourcing overseas product and developing unique commercial ranges for optimal sales to meet the customer’s requirements.- Keeping abreast of future fashion trends, using local and international resources, and building those into seasonal ranges.- Conducting regular store visits to monitor competitor’s activities. - Range presentation – consulting with buyers regarding selections, quantities, prices, specifications, delivery dates, etc.- Setting of seasonal budgets and ensuring that it is achieved.- Detailed briefing to factories to ensure correct product is costed and manufactured.- Negotiating price and deliveries with factories on buyer’s behalf.- Negotiate price and deliveries with buyer.- Liaising with managers on strategic discussions.- Tracking customer’s product delivery and shipments.- Accompanying customers to factory visits aboard – Mauritius/Madagascar- Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers and planners to proactively help trade their areas.- Managing Assistant’s daily tasks and responsibilities.- Liaising with Distribution Centre (DC) on all delivery-related queries. Show less

• 

  WORLD KNITS SA

  Jan 2013 - now

  Marketing and Sales Manager

  Accounts: Woolworths / Adidas : Men’s, Ladies and Kids Knits – Outerwear, Sleepwear and Performance wear.I head up the South African office for World Knits, a Mauritian/Madagascar based manufacturer.Achievements:Achieved a significant growth from 2.7 million units in 2013 to 3.6 million units 3 years later.Responsibilities:- Manage a team of 4 people in their Merchandising duties and lead them to discover their best-in-class merchandising talents.- Customer-centric approach when liaising with factory design team on Seasonal Product developments.- Detailed briefing to factories to ensure correct product is costed and manufactured.- Manage and assist merchandisers in negotiating price and deliveries with factories on buyer’s behalf.- Manage price negotiations and deliveries with the buyers.- Setting of seasonal budgets and ensuring that it is achieved.- Attend regular meetings with Mauritian principal on feedback and strategic discussions with Woolworths Senior Management.- Manage the critical path and develop a trading mentality with merchandisers.- Build and maintain strong relationships with buyers, designers, planners, and technologists to proactively help trade their areas.- Research and assist in driving Sustainability and Innovation.- Review trend direction using Local and International resources to influence the seasonal ranges for optimal sales.- Conduct regular store visits to monitor competitors’ activities.- Range presentation – consulting with buyers regarding selections, quantities, prices, specifications, delivery dates, etc. Show less