1. Nqobile Tshabalala
Address: Unit 15 Highgrove, 29 Troupant Avenue,
Magaliessig, Fourways, 2191
Date of Birth: 8 July 1984
ID no: 8407080612087
Tel: (011) 985-0879 OR Mobile: 079-703-9212
Email: nn.tshbll@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
I am an enthusiastic and creative individual who is always keen to learn new skills. I am reliable, resilient and
flexible in different work situations, and I possess excellent interpersonal and communicative skills. This enables
me to work efficiently and productively within a team, as well as on my own initiative. I am quick to grasp new
ideas and concepts, and can demonstrate a high level of motivation required to meet tight deadlines, while also
delegating tasks effectively.
SKILLS:
- Assortment building (seasonal range) - Trend analysis & forecasting
- Merchandise Planning - Compiling business specific documentation
- Sales analysis reporting - Product performance analysis, management
- Customer relations - Excellent communication & interpersonal skills
- Negotiation (Supplier relations) - Observant with meticulous attention to detail
- Excellent organization skills - People management & mentoring skills
- Visual Merchandising - Research
- Compiling informative detailed Power Point presentations
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Company: Edcon - Edgars Division
Position held: Category Buyer (Men's Charter Club)
Duration: July 2013 - Present
Job Description:
Financial Analysis – Merchandise
- Extracting weekly performance data using appropriate systems to track business performance at
department level & drill down the hierarchy to sku level and analyse information according to relevant
attributes, and report findings to management at the Monday trade meetings.
- Compile weekly and monthly reports on business performance detailing successes & lost opportunities,
and what actions have been taken to ensure optimisation of successes & strategies to be implemented
to capitalize on all future opportunities.
- Constantly monitoring emerging trends, conducting discussions with planners to ensure that we meet
the financial plans set out by the chain.
- Tracking of product performance, as well as historical data and emerging trends, and make
recommendations in order to maximize sales, minimize markdowns and ensure correct stock allocation
to stores

2. - On-going analysis of historical data relating to own portfolio and relate past product performance to
future buying plans
- Compile assortment based on planner’s forecast in order to ensure that range assortments are in line
with Chain strategic direction in terms of trends & financial goals.
- Managing orders in keeping with available monthly Open To Buy (budget) by negotiating order
cancellations & roll outs where necessary with suppliers.
- Extract historical data on product performance using appropriate systems and utilise the information
once analysed to make informed decisions on the correct product to invest in for future buying plans.
- Analyse and evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs) (i.e. sales plan, gross profit, cost reductions,
stock turns, closing stock) to assess and highlight areas of positive performance and to identify areas
where improvement is required, implementing action where necessary
- Liaising with stores to discuss individual performance and implementing corrective measures to ensure
that they can achieve their financial goals in accordance with Chain objectives.
Supplier management
- Generating detailed Order Discussion Records (ODR) that contain the correct specs, size ratios, colour,
wash care, trim detail & supplier specific information per style, in order to ensure that suppliers produce
final products that adheres to all styling and quality specifications.
- Meeting with suppliers to brief future orders and negotiate cost, quantity, lead times and delivery dates.
- Sample management - assessing Pre-Production Samples (PPS) with the QA technician to ensure that
supplier has complied with Industry/Organisation's required quality specifications & instruct any
amendments to be done before production on bulk order can begin.
- Approving all initial submissions including lab dyes (colour), buttons, fabric hand looms (for texture),
trims, etc. and final submissions of Bulk Production Samples (BPS) before bulk order delivery to ensure
that supplier delivers product in keeping with approved specs at PPS stage.
- Co-ordinating monthly meetings with suppliers to ensure that all parties are on the same track in terms
of current business performance & formulating contingency plans should any unforeseen circumstances
arise.
Product Portfolio and Assortment
- Planning and compiling a seasonal range whilst considering customer demands, market trends,
financial budgets, price, quality and availability.
- Sourcing new product and reviewing existing items to ensure that purchased goods remain competitive
in terms of availability, quality and price.
- Reacting to changes in market demands and logistics, and maximising on profits
- Monitor product performance and emerging trends and take appropriate action in order to maximize
sales, minimize markdowns and ensure a balanced assortment is available in stores.
- Co-ordination and compilation of range plans with merchandise assortment plans to achieve a balanced
assortment for the forthcoming season; assist in compiling and presenting future buying plans based on
historical data & international product trends forecasts.
- Implement action plans to align future plans with current/emerging trends, utilizing a range of criteria
(pricing, styling, colours, fabrics, units/volumes, sizes, and options per store) for planning balanced
assortment in order to comply with the Chain’s overall sales plan as agreed at Line Review.

3. - Identify and capture all tasks, events, activities and milestones required to achieve specific Chain &
department objectives, to ensure positive outcomes (e.g. propose well balanced range assortments,
negotiate ideal delivery dates with suppliers, implement changes in replenishment styles & fashion
styles that align to trend call outs)
- Analyse and evaluate relevant historical data and product performance, within the current portfolio
strategy, to ensure the development of a balanced range assortment; and ensure past product
performance data is utilized to implement future buying plans.
- Compiling in depth Brand Guides to establish parameters of brand label including; learnings, competitor
profile & pricing, store segmentation, silhouettes, trims etc.
- Liaising with store personnel regarding special customer demands and feedback to ensure that
customers receive quality service & a positive shopping experience.
Balanced Stock
- Execute the relevant product selection criteria based on proven product performance according to
pricing, styling, colours, fabrics, units bought & sold, sizes, options per store, stores and locations.
- Monitor and analyse competitor activities and consumer demands in order to implement appropriate
actions required to remain on par with the market & current trend demands.
- Finalizing and implementing agreed store grids & layouts.
- Monitor product performance in order to make decisions and implement repeat orders of bestselling
product in order to capitalize & optimize sales.
- Maintain accurate records and consistently monitor all the elements relating to product to ensure the
success of the overall business strategy
- Achieve sales objectives by monitoring & analysing product performance and reacting accordingly by
correcting seasonal flow while ensuring that a balanced assortment is maintained.
Marketing
- Collect and collate data regularly on key performance indicators and stakeholders' performance as well
as researched data on local and international trends. Provide feedback to line management.
- Interpret seasonal buying requirements and ensure that buying plans are compiled accurately by
considering all variables that will impact on the business (product availability, variety, retail prices &
fashionability).
- Conduct ongoing analysis of local retailers and markets/trends/competitor activities, and changes in
retail practices.
- Feedback completed analysis to management with relevant recommendations where required so that
relevant decisions can be made in order to maintain a competitive edge.
- Ensure that future plans are aligned with emerging trends and adhere to best practice quality standards
- Liaise with relevant business partners to determine & ensure that current and future plans coincide with
current/emerging trends and react timeously to develop and implement relevant action plans to achieve
objectives.
- Analysing consumer shopping habits; reviewing daily sales and reporting on performance
- Participating in promotional activities including work-shopping looks according to marketing department
briefs for magazine shoots, TV advertisements and in-store Window displays in keeping with trend call
outs.

4. - Extracting Post Promotion data in order to analyse product performance during promotional activities
and report on the effectiveness of the promotion.
Process Improvement and Efficiency
- Regularly monitor own portfolio's performance in conjunction with that of key competitors' and affect
necessary changes to ensure departments competitive edge.
- Familiarize self with, and utilize, standard analytical and execution processes
- Manage order quantities & movements in compliance with business requirements.
- Collate data in a logical formatted layout preparation for meetings and presentations
- Ensure clear verbal & written communication with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that
requirements are clearly understood.
- Implement processes to monitor work flow, allowing sufficient lead time between initial placement and
delivery of merchandise and initiating appropriate actions when unforeseen circumstances arise,
ensuring any and all delivery amendments are effected within stipulated time lines.
People Management
- Adhere to the values and leadership principles stipulated by the Organisation and participate in
strategies and initiatives
- Take personal ownership of all department issues, work as a team and mentor new team members as
required.
- Ensure that all tasks required by the team are actioned timeously in order to meet overall deadlines.
- Liaising with other departments & business partners to ensure that projects are completed accurately.
- Team leader in charge of co-ordinating product workshops according to marketing briefs, in keeping
with time lines & ensuring that all relevant parties are available, and following up with all stakeholders to
ensure that all processes are adhered to and completed accurately.
Company: Edcon - Edgars Division
Position held: Assistant Buyer
Duration: April 2010 – June 2013
Job Description: Product analysis & reporting on product performance.
Negotiating with suppliers for the right price and units required.
Product merchandising and styling for visuals and promotional shoots for in-house
magazine publications.
Marketing Admin - compiling write ups for selected promotional product, including
style descriptions for store communications, loading correct information onto
promotions onto Retek system to ensure product scans correctly in stores in time for
promo breaks.
Briefing suppliers about products required for in-house marketing purposes, including
specifications on product styling details, units required.
Compiling Order Discussion Records to brief suppliers & raising subsequent orders.
Following up on product deliveries to ensure that stores have stock on time and in the
right quantities.

5. Sample Management – organising samples for promotional shoots, and tracking
samples to & from suppliers.
Company: Gugulam
Position held: Fashion Designer
Duration: July 2007 - March 2010
Job Description: Compiling a range of comfortable well-made ready-to-wear clothing for the everyday
woman.
Designing seasonal ranges for national & in-house fashion shows.
Conceptualize ideas on paper & creating standard and individual patterns
Co-ordinating appointments and fitting sessions with existing / prospective clients
Compile, organize and file admin
Sourcing raw materials for production at the best price
Liaising with magazine publications to feature our products & organizing garments for
photo shoots
Supervising production, managing daily work flow and co-ordinating projects
Assisting in the event management component of the business for various projects.
Company: Premier Travel Inn (Whitbread Plc. London)
Position held: Hotel Receptionist
Duration: August 2006 - March 2007
Job Description: Receiving guests and accompanying them to their
Leading a shift and ensuring that guests are comfortable and well catered to at all
times.
Managing the 101 room hotel on my own initiative and as part of my development.
Responsible for the handling of money during transactions and banking at the end of
the shift
Compiling the End of Week banking template on the company network to head office.
Filing and posting of associated documents to head office regularly.
Company: Travellers Rest Beefeater (Whitbread Plc. London)
Position held: Door Host/ Desert Person/ Bar Staff
Duration: April 2006 - August 2006
Job Description: Door Host: responsibilities included welcoming and seating restaurant customers;
ensuring they are comfortable & enjoying their Beefeater experience.
Desert Assistant: main duties were to prepare quality deserts to fulfil customer orders
while adhering to company standards & specifications.
Bar Staff: I had to ensure that food was delivered from the kitchen to the bar patrons;
to ensure tables were clean & clear of dirty plates and glasses; Stocking up on cutlery
and condiments during and at the end of my shift.
Company: DP Cappuccino Espresso

6. Position held: Barrister
Duration: March 2006 - April 2007 (fixed term contract, then part time)
Job Description: Serving customers & producing quality coffees.
Stock replenishing and cash handling.
Opening and closing shifts at exhibitions and stores.
Company: SABC - Morula Pictures (‘Generations’)
Position held: Wardrobe Assistant,
Duration: June 2005 - December 2005 (fixed term contract)
Job Description: Responsible for wardrobe standby on set, wardrobe styling and script breakdowns
(summaries).
Scheduled fittings between actors and costume designers.
Assisted the wardrobe mistress with the purchase of wardrobe clothing.
EDUCATION
Tertiary Education: Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Qualification: National Diploma: Fashion Design
Duration: January 2002 - November 2004
High School Education: Sir John Adamson High School
Qualification: Matric Certificate
Duration: January 1996 - December 200
Other Education: University of Westminister (United Kingdom, London)
Qualification: Certificates for Introduction to AutoCAD & AutoCAD 2007
Duration: December 2006 & April 2007
Other Education: Alliance Francaise De Soweto
Qualification: Certificate for Windows 2000

7. Position held: Barrister
Duration: March 2006 - April 2007 (fixed term contract, then part time)
Job Description: Serving customers & producing quality coffees.
Stock replenishing and cash handling.
Opening and closing shifts at exhibitions and stores.
Company: SABC - Morula Pictures (‘Generations’)
Position held: Wardrobe Assistant,
Duration: June 2005 - December 2005 (fixed term contract)
Job Description: Responsible for wardrobe standby on set, wardrobe styling and script breakdowns
(summaries).
Scheduled fittings between actors and costume designers.
Assisted the wardrobe mistress with the purchase of wardrobe clothing.
EDUCATION
Tertiary Education: Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Qualification: National Diploma: Fashion Design
Duration: January 2002 - November 2004
High School Education: Sir John Adamson High School
Qualification: Matric Certificate
Duration: January 1996 - December 200
Other Education: University of Westminister (United Kingdom, London)
Qualification: Certificates for Introduction to AutoCAD & AutoCAD 2007
Duration: December 2006 & April 2007
Other Education: Alliance Francaise De Soweto
Qualification: Certificate for Windows 2000