James Crocker
Milan,Italy
Summary
An ambitious and flexible individual with great overall awareness of fashion and extensive experience in retail. Possesses excellent knowledge of the European market, the Middle East and Americas. Skilled communicator, great organisational skills and ability to multitask. A commercial attitude mixed with a creative mind and eye for detail.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Merchandising Manager - Men's RTW Americas
Prada
Milan
2025.06 - Current
- HQ based, supporting teams in North and South America to drive the Men's RTW business in the area
Retail Merchandising Manager - Middle East – Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
Dubai
2022.04 - 2025.06
- Full ownership of the Men’s department, reporting to the General Merchandising Director
Retail Merchandising Manager - Middle East – Women’s Bags, Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
Dubai
2022.11 - 2024.04
- Taking on the additional responsibility of the Women’s Bags department for 18 months has been an excellent learning experience and challenge which further developed my knowledge of the variations in trends and shopping behaviours of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.
Retail Merchandising Manager - Middle East Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
Dubai
2022.07 - 2022.11
Retail Merchandiser - Middle East and South Africa - Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
Dubai
2018.06 - 2022.07
- This role enabled me to gain both personal and professional experience in a new, challenging and exciting market. Due to the small size of the regional office, we are constantly working in close partnership with all teams and functions to ensure the correct product, image and message are reaching our clients.
- From May 2019 to Feb 2020, I solely managed the Uomo business and reported directly into the Regional General Manager following the departure of the Buying Manager. Despite many challenges, I ensured we ended the year positive vs LY in all categories. In most cases outperforming the Global trend, guaranteeing a double-digit growth across departments.
- Skills gained and duties included
- Complete ownership of stock management, strategically moving product between stores to maximise sales and sell through on a weekly basis
- Regularly visiting stores across the region to set targets and sales benchmarks, following up weekly to ensure targets are achieved
- Collaborating with the Finance team to revise the store budgets
- Working closely with the HQ Central Merchandisers throughout the season and the buying sessions in Milan
Junior Buyer and Merchandiser - Men’s Purple Label and RRL
Ralph Lauren
London
2017.07 - 2018.06
- I learnt a great deal about dealing positively with change in this role. The team structure altered and evolved drastically following the departure of the BAA and Buyer in Feb 2016 and subsequently not being replaced. Following this, the Milan Merchandising office disbanded Nov 2016 and the responsibilities of this team was passed on to our UK based team. As well as continuing to support the retail side of the business by visiting and training our stores, we worked closer than ever to the New York Global Merchandising team by amending the regional assortments to ensure all doors had a globally desirable coherent range, SKU commonality across all channels & regions and that minimums were met.
- Skills gained and duties included
- Pricing the line for Retail and Wholesale, using competitor analysis and US vs EU pricing premium as a guideline
- Traveling to NY to work with Global Merch at line opening to ensure EU needs are met and key styles are available
- Buying and Merchandising responsibilities for all categories within MW, WW, Accessories and Footwear
Assistant Buyer and Merchandiser - Men’s Purple Label and RRL
Ralph Lauren
London
2014.07 - 2017.07
- Buying Purple Label apparel and RRL MW, WW and ACCS for the European full price stores and ecommerce.
- In addition to my buying responsibilities, I also spent 8 months working on the MTM business which involved order processing and regular interaction with fabric sourcing and production teams in Italy as well as Global Merchandising based in NYC.
- Skills gained and duties included
- The ability to work under pressure with very tight deadlines while maintaining the highest level of accuracy and decision making
- Working with the BAA in regards to career development and managing the critical path and workload, ensuring key dates are met
- Managing OTB and ranging product for each store individually, at SKU colour/size level
- Daily contact with stores to build relationships and further understand each location’s customer habits, trends and needs
- Taking responsibility for in-season transfers and consolidations to drive sales and improve sell through
- The go to point of contact for Press, Marketing and Creative/VM providing information and product solutions
Tailoring unpaid internship
Craig Robinson Brooklyn
New York City
2014.01 - 2014.02
- In this internship I learnt about cutting, measuring and sewing/pad stitching one-on-one with the vastly experienced tailor, Craig Robinson. I’m very passionate about tailoring, with a specific interest in bespoke, handmade garments.
Senior Buying Assistant with full buying responsibility AW13/‘Best of British’ Collection
Marks and Spencer
London
2012.11 - 2013.10
- Fully responsible for all aspects of buying and reported to the Head of Buying and the Business Unit Director. This was a fantastic opportunity, allowing me to work with the very best manufacturers and fabric mills in the UK. The range consisted of 44 pieces, including footwear, tailoring and knitwear.
- Skills gained and duties included
- Developing a close relationship with the Designers to deliver an aspirational and commercial range
- Furthered knowledge of the UK garment and fabric industry
- The ability to present product and financial information to key stakeholders and senior management
- Full 360 project, from initial design meetings, visiting factories, ordering fabric and packaging all the way through to working with the DC to ensure the product is handled correctly
- Manufacturers and Mills worked with
- Cheshire Bespoke, Cheaney Shoes, Rayner & Sturges Shirtmakers, Hawick Knitwear, Tango Knitwear
- Holland & Sherry, Alfred Brown, Abraham Moon
Senior BAA - Men’s Formal Jackets and Trousers
Marks and Spencer London
London
2010.08 - 2013.10
- This role allowed me to develop into the most senior Buying Assistant within Menswear. As part of my progression, as a reward for the work I had done, I travelled to Milano Unica fabric fair with the Formalwear Buying Manager.
- Skills gained and duties included
- Cost Price negotiation, key example being the Savile Row collection for AW13 negotiating prices to gain 3 percentage points, in turn helping to meet departmental margin targets
- The ability to work over two or more product areas simultaneously
- Managing requests from Press, Marketing and Ecommerce for over 140 options each season
- Buying my own ranges, including the classics blazer range and the ‘Savile Row Inspired’ range
- Coordinating outfits and attending photo shoots and editorials for Ecommerce
BAA - Men’s Suits
Marks and Spencer London
London
2009.08 - 2010.08
- The 12 months on Men’s suits served as a great foundation on a high-profile department. On top of day to day Departmental administration duties I was presented with the opportunity to attend fit sessions with the Football Association due to M&S’s formal wear contract. I was also responsible for ordering and managing samples for SoccerAid 2010 where M&S supplied all formal wear for the charity football event in which ex-Pros and celebrities compete.
- Skills gained and duties included
- Management of the critical path and ensuring all price and product information is inputted correctly on various systems
- The ability to work under pressure in a new environment to tight deadlines
- Presenting comparative shop reports to the leadership team at product sign-off meetings
- Developing and owning promotional packaging
- Preparing product presentation for trade meetings with senior management
Sales Assistant - Men’s Formalwear
Marks and Spencer Sandhurst
2006.10 - 2009.08
- While I worked on all areas of formalwear, I was primarily based on men’s suits. The constant customer contact has given me a fantastic insight and drive to deliver product that fits their needs. I received numerous service awards, leading to the award of Employee of the Month in a store which has 800+ staff.
Sales Assistant and Buying Assistant
Michael Chell Surrey
2004.10 - 2006.10
- As the Buying Assistant I accompanied the Buyer to various appointments in London and Paris, such as Paul Smith, Nicole Farhi, Hugo Boss and Maison Margiela. I feel this was the catalyst for me wanting to pursue a career in Buying as it was a unique and very fortunate experience at a young age.
Education
Short Course - Buying and Merchandising: Level 1, 2, and 3
London College of Fashion
2006.01 - 2008.01
GCSE - Grades BC
Frogmore Community College
1999.01 - 2004.01
Short Course - Italian shorts courses in Dubai. Spanish short courses at Easy Espanol
New York City 2014.01 - 2014.02
References
References available upon request
Courses
- Whilst with M&S, Ralph Lauren and Prada I have completed the following courses –
- Understanding ‘International’ – a course design to maximise our potential during international growth
- Denim Basics
- Fabrics and Fibres – London College of Fashion
- Knitwear Basics – London College of Fashion
Languages
English
Native
Italian
Intermediate
Timeline
Merchandising Manager - Men's RTW Americas
Prada
2025.06 - Current
Retail Merchandising Manager - Middle East – Women’s Bags, Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
2022.11 - 2024.04
Retail Merchandising Manager - Middle East Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
2022.07 - 2022.11
Retail Merchandising Manager - Middle East – Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
2022.04 - 2025.06
Retail Merchandiser - Middle East and South Africa - Men’s Categories & Home
Prada
2018.06 - 2022.07
Junior Buyer and Merchandiser - Men’s Purple Label and RRL
Ralph Lauren
2017.07 - 2018.06
Assistant Buyer and Merchandiser - Men’s Purple Label and RRL
Ralph Lauren
2014.07 - 2017.07
Short Course - Italian shorts courses in Dubai. Spanish short courses at Easy Espanol
2014.01 - 2014.02
Tailoring unpaid internship
Craig Robinson Brooklyn
2014.01 - 2014.02
Senior Buying Assistant with full buying responsibility AW13/‘Best of British’ Collection
Marks and Spencer
2012.11 - 2013.10
Senior BAA - Men’s Formal Jackets and Trousers
Marks and Spencer London
2010.08 - 2013.10
BAA - Men’s Suits
Marks and Spencer London
2009.08 - 2010.08
Sales Assistant - Men’s Formalwear
Marks and Spencer Sandhurst
2006.10 - 2009.08
Short Course - Buying and Merchandising: Level 1, 2, and 3
London College of Fashion
2006.01 - 2008.01
Sales Assistant and Buying Assistant
Michael Chell Surrey
2004.10 - 2006.10
GCSE - Grades BC
Frogmore Community College
1999.01 - 2004.01