Prakash Gopal

- Managed 2 demand planners to maximize availability and optimize stock holding for Batteries, Bulb and Home office dept. - Previously Managed 2 demand planners in Vision and Personal Elec dept. - Owning/reviewing the OTB and weekly store availability, understanding any challenges and putting appropriate intake and replenishmant solutions in place. - Working collaboratively with Buying/Cat planning and suppliers to forecast (Range/promotions and events). - Adhering and communicating the status of the Critical Path to achieve 95%+ launch for all launches. - Ensuring short, medium and long term line level forecasts are provided to the supplier with lead times of 1 to 16 weeks. - Liaising with the Supplier and Depot teams to ensure the intake and allocation plans are aligned to deliver the trade plan and manage clearance of end of life stock. - Contributing to regular reviews capturing learnings and opportunities going forward, making suggestions for continuous improvement. - Developing and leading a high performing team, giving them the opportunity to be at their best. - Supporting the roll out of the new systems and processes to drive continuous improvement in the category.

- Managed 3 Demand Planners and a System Analyst. Focusing on development and training for the members of the team. - Working with the buying manger and trade planning to plot out the year’s space and events using market data, customer insight, analysis of own performance and supplier key events. - Building/Plotting yearly/weekly sales and intake for WSSI/OTB in line with business KPIs. - Ensuring critical path deadlines are met with in the team to maximise availability to targets for store and online channels. - Working with suppliers and buyers, sharing Forecast/Intake plans for all New Release’s (weekly rotation) and range/promo lines. - Working with the depot/returns team to ensure stock is distributing in the right place and excess returned to the supplier as per the terms of contract. - Work closely with the buying teams in regards to range mix and decision making on new titles as well as chart position using the line level forecast, liaising with the Buying, Admin, Marketing, Stock operations, Distribution teams and Suppliers with 1 to 7 day lead times to ensure data integrity and successful launch of all lines and executing exit plans to best working practices. Managing clearance lines out the business. - Liaising with the HSC Team (India) ensuring all PO’s (Order's) are raised in a timely manner and communicated to supplier as well as making sure the order book is kept up to date and added new ways of working to get the best from both sets of teams. - Manage the System Maintenance and New store/Refits process with in the DVD and Music Department.

- Managed TV, Video & Accessories ranges within the Home Theatre department in store and online. - Managed the OTB and intake through in house delivery schedule. - Maintaining Availability to targets for store and online channels. - Sales forecasting to create pre-season demand plans using various methods such as sales history, like for like, market data, CPFR with vendors and linecards. - Creating purchase orders, amending and maintaining replenishment parameters through SAP system. - Proactively managing domestic and international vendors. - Transition management of new ranges liaising with Space Planning, Marketing, Distribution teams, Retail and Vendors to ensure a successful launch of a new range and executing exit plans. - Sign off responsibility and executing promotion plans/press adverts, communicating any sku issues and creating initial allocations of products for stores as designed in the plan. - Weekly analysis as well as making recommendations to support the team decision-making process. - Providing data and analysis to support category sales and stock targets through analysis of past promotions and price actives. - Generating reports and produce analysis for the Demand Planning Lead as required. - Liaising with accounts payable department in investigating invoice queries on PO’s. - Liaising with the Admin and Buying teams to maintain data integrity. - Suggesting best practice principles through reporting and communications tools to wider business.

- Looked after Games Hardware and Peripherals Range in store and online, As well as DVD and Music Range. - Previously looked after the promotion process for DVD, Games and Music within the Entertainment department. - Sales forecasting using various methods such as sales history, like for like and box office information. - Managing OTB and intake in line with the departments KPIs. - Set up and maintenance of Dept critical path ensuring deadlines are met. - Providing data and analysis for the Merchandise Manager to support category sales and stock targets, through analysis of past range / promotions and space performance. - Liaising with the Buying, Admin, Marketing, Stock operations, Distribution teams and Suppliers to ensure data integrity and successful launch of a Range and Promotion and executing exit plans to best working practices.

- Supporting the Inventory Manager on TV, Audio, Lighting and Domestic Appliances. Sole responsibility for the Batteries department. - Working directly with the Buyer on sales forecasting and managing OTB and intake completing the stock planning and supply activities to agreed standards and deadlines. Creating pre-season demand plans and purchase orders. Proactively managing Domestic and FOB Suppliers. Generating reports and producing analysis in line with key KPIs. Working with various part of the organization to ensure the smooth running of supply activities.