Position Overview
As a Global Licensee Operations Associate at Ralph Lauren, you will serve as the primary contact for RL Licensee vendors, monitoring key milestones throughout the buying process. You will ensure accuracy and adherence to Ralph Lauren standards for item definition and attributes while partnering with multiple departments including Licensing, Merchandising, Commercial teams, Vendor Compliance, and PO Management to deliver exceptional service across all RL Channels and Regions.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
9-month temporary contract
Coordination & Communication
1. Manage seasonal meetings with vendors and commercial teams
2. Centralize and coordinate communication flow between vendors and commercial teams throughout the season
3. Develop and maintain calendars that account for region-specific requirements (crucial delivery timelines and market reading)
4. Monitor key milestones and ensure decisions are made according to established schedules
5. Harmonize licensee processes across all vendors and implement best practices
6. Organize in-person meetings with vendors to review seasonal performance
Item Definition & Data Management
7. Collaborate with vendors to obtain line lists and buying attributes (costing, minimums, country of origin, delivery dates)
8. Prepare and format attributes for setting RL references in accordance with company guidelines
9. Oversee data entry processes and maintain data integrity
10. Manage product line and attribute updates throughout the season and communicate changes to Commercial teams
Buy Governance
11. Communicate buy dates to commercial teams
12. Collect and consolidate commercial buy projections
13. Organize minimum reviews with vendors and relay outcomes to Commercial teams
14. Coordinate Commercial system updates prior to finalizing orders
15. Facilitate buy reconsolidation with vendors and update final costing, delivery dates, and factory information
16. Deliver accurate production details to PO management team
Reporting & Tracking
17. Ensure timely preparation and accuracy of assigned analyses and reports
18. Track key dates within buy schedules
19. Perform necessary reconciliations between systems and departments
Experience, Skills, and Knowledge
Required Experience & Knowledge
20. Strong understanding of Supply Chain operations and Master Data management
21. Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail
22. Previous experience in a similar coordination or operations role
23. Knowledge of retail buying processes preferred
Technical Skills
24. Advanced proficiency in MS Excel (V-lookups, complex formulas, pivot tables)
25. Strong PowerPoint presentation skills
26. SAP knowledge highly desirable
27. Experience with retail management systems a plus
Personal Attributes
28. Fluent in reading, speaking, and writing in English (additional languages beneficial)
29. Team-oriented with demonstrated ability to positively influence across departments
30. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization
31. Strong time management and organizational abilities with capacity to meet tight deadlines
32. Adaptable and flexible mindset
33. Self-motivated with ability to work independently with minimal supervision
34. Comfortable communicating with upper management regarding problems or issues impacting production
Ralph Lauren is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.