• Planning product ranges and preparing sales and stock plans in conjunction with buyers • Listing with buyers, analysts, stores, suppliers and distributors • Maintaining a comprehensive library of appropriate data • Working closely with visual display staff and department heads to decide how goods should be displayed to maximize customer interest and sales; • Producing layout plans for stores; • Forecasting profits and sales, and optimizing the sales volume and profitability of designated product areas • Planning budgets and presenting sales forecasts and figures for new ranges; • Controlling stock levels based on forecasts for the season; • Using specialist computer software, for example to handle sales statistics, produce sales projections and present spreadsheets and graphs; • Analyzing every aspect of bestsellers (for example, the bestselling price points, colours or styles) and ensuring that bestsellers reach their full potential; • Monitoring slow sellers and taking action to reduce prices or set promotions as necessary; • Gathering information on customers’ reactions to products; • Analyzing previous season’s sales and reporting on the current season’s lines; • Making financial presentations t senior managers; • Accompanying buyers on visits to manufacturers to appreciate production processes; • Meeting with suppliers and managing the distribution of stock, by negotiating cost prices, ordering stock, agreeing timescales and delivery dates, and completing the necessary paperwork; • Identifying production and supply difficulties and dealing with any problems or delays as they arise; • Managing, training and supervising junior staff.