Jonathan Edge

Results-driven Senior Merchandising Manager at Lidl & Kaufland Asia, leading a high-performing team to align sourcing, supplier development, and operational excellence with headquarters’ strategic goals. Expertise in cross-functional collaboration, end-to-end supply chain management, and driving profitability through data-driven negotiations with European buyers and Asian suppliers. Passionate about mentoring teams, expanding market share, and innovating processes to elevate business growth in fast-paced environments. Key Responsibilities: - Strategic Leadership: Manage day-to-day merchandising operations, ensuring alignment with Lidl International’s objectives while coaching teams to maximize efficiency and hit targets. - Supplier & Buyer Relations: Serve as the primary liaison for Lidl’s international buyers and factories, negotiating pricing and terms to achieve turnover and margin goals. - Supply Base Development: Strengthen vendor partnerships through performance evaluations, market research, and onboarding to build a robust, competitive supplier pool. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Drive critical path management by coordinating with supply chain, product development, and quality teams to ensure on-time, cost-effective deliveries. - Innovation & Growth: Spearhead cross-divisional projects to expand product categories, optimize processes, and enhance Asia’s market share.

Purpose: Oversee suppliers and factories in the APAC region to ensure seamless production at competitive prices. Impact: Having developed a global sourcing strategy that balances quality, compliance, cost, and risk, aim now is for sustained success through careful implementation and oversight. - Intend to strengthen and align the IIC team with APAC teams for effective execution of the global sourcing strategy. - Demonstrated success in meeting tight deadlines in a dynamic environment. - Committed to exploring new opportunities and markets that enhance product quality, compliance, pricing, and risk management. - Focused on boosting operational efficiency and tracking performance metrics for continuous improvement. Responsibilities: - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize the supply chain and resource utilization. - Manage budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability. - Ensure compliance with regulations and build strong stakeholder relationships. - Conduct strategic negotiations with suppliers and mitigate supply chain risks. - Manage resources to achieve commercial objectives and empower team members. - Lead and mentor operations professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. - Align product development with business objectives and ESG goals.

Purpose: Create and sustain a vibrant worldwide sourcing network that serves as a crucial bridge between development and production phases. Impact: - Cultivate high-achieving teams by providing mentorship and opportunities for professional development. - Promote a culture that values continuous enhancement and transparent communication. - Attain outstanding sourcing outcomes by ensuring a harmonious balance of product quality, compliance, cost-effectiveness, and risk management. Responsibilities: - Team Development: Guide and mentor teams to boost collaboration and performance via consistent communication, goal-setting, and assessments. - Continuous Improvement: Encourage employees and suppliers to share ideas, nurturing innovation and operational superiority. - Data-Driven Decision-Making: Enhance decision-making processes by adopting advanced analytics and reporting mechanisms. - Risk Management: Actively foresee and address potential risks to reduce adverse effects on projects and operations. - Sourcing Excellence: Sustain effective dialogue with National Organizations and establish a dependable network of factories and suppliers. - Budget Management: Administer budgets judiciously to maximize resource utilization and preserve financial health. - Supplier Network: Guarantee that the network is capable of developing, producing, and supplying top-quality products punctually and at fair prices, ensuring full compliance and transparency. - Private Label Brands: Facilitate global sourcing across all product categories (Apparel, Footwear, Hard goods, Soft goods) for various price segments. - Quality and Compliance: Achieve a balance between product quality, adherence to regulations, cost, and risk, integrating upstream material development to hit price points without sacrificing quality. - Operational Efficiency: Drive operational efficiency and enhance profitability through targeted strategic initiatives.

- Specialize in procuring top-quality garments. Ensure timely delivery from the right sources at the best prices. - Responsible for creating and executing procurement strategies. - Manage operational budgets and conduct global benchmarks. - Maintain fair business practices with partners. Prioritize social compliance and environmental considerations. - Conduct Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) to strengthen business ties. - Work with the Fabric Team to standardize main fabrics. - Optimize end-to-end lead times. - Collaborate closely with the Collection team on various aspects: Trend handovers, Buying trip allocations, Sample selections. - Managed cross-functional teams for successful implementation of strategic projects. - Play a key role in Strategic Sourcing for Kiabi. Lead initiatives in Circular Low Environmental Impact - - Product (CSR) and source development out of Africa and Uzbekistan.

- Initiated and coordinated Seasonal Planning Meetings. Ensured effective supplier selection, loading, and production planning. - Monitored and reported progress against the set plan. Provided early warnings of poor tender management. - Continually managed supplier capacities and performance. - Supported Merchandising and Sourcing teams. Administered the supplier base, from listing new suppliers to maintaining current ones. - Implemented processes and a control framework for listing and de-listing suppliers. Considered risk vs GP. - Established supplier KPIs and managed Supplier Performance.

- Delivered a global strategy ensuring the right product from the right supplier at the right price. - Enabled a competitive advantage through efficiency and cost-effectiveness. - Established and maintained relationships with all suppliers and retailers. - Enhanced operational efficiency by implementing new policies and procedures for base management. - Streamlined communication channels for improved cross-departmental collaboration and decision making. - Responsible for allocating suitable suppliers per department. - Monitored and controlled supplier loading and risk within the supplier base. - Analyzed, evaluated, and resolved departmental weaknesses to strengthen business operations. - Integrated and managed sourcing teams in China and Bangladesh. - Actively explored new business opportunities in manufacturing markets. - Investigated potential areas of business growth. - Sourced strategically sound suppliers to promote business to buyers.

- Managed client relationships with German, Austrian, and French customers, collaborating closely with Chinese suppliers to meet all requirements. - Oversaw supplier and merchandiser management, actively involved in the entire product lifecycle, from development to shipping. - Provided market insights on China and coordinated retailer buying trips, enhancing client engagement and product alignment. - Established a diverse supplier base across multiple categories, ensuring quality assurance and control at all production stages

I assisted in managing ResAfrica's leading websites, playing a key role in maintaining their online presence. I was responsible for processing transactions, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. My role also involved active participation in data capturing and research, contributing to the company's knowledge base. In addition, I managed design and manufacturing teams to build proprietary process equipment. I successfully navigated cost and time constraints, demonstrating my ability to deliver results under pressure.