LOONG HEAN WONG
MERCHANDISING MANAGER
Seri Kembangan
Summary
Accomplished Merchandising Manager and Commercial Lead with nearly a decade of comprehensive experience in the FMCG and retail sectors. Currently leading the Fresh Food commercial strategy for myNEWS and myCU, I hold full P&L responsibility and specialize in aligning demand, supply, and financial planning across nationwide store networks. With a proven track record of managing multi-million ringgit portfolios—including a RM39mil local fruit department—I excel at leveraging data analytics to optimize promotions and drive business efficiency.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Merchandising Manager
Mynews Retail Sdn Bhd
07.2024 - Current
- Lead Commercial Strategy & P&L: Drive the Fresh Food commercial strategy for both myNEWS and myCU retail brands with full P&L responsibility.
- Sales & Demand Planning: Manage the integrated sales planning process to ensure seamless alignment between consumer demand, supply chain logistics, and financial targets.
- High-Growth Promotion Execution: Achieved a 188% growth in CU Mart fountain drink sales through targeted promotion planning and rigorous instore execution.
- Strategic Value Meal Optimization: Grew value meal (counter food) promotional sales by 23% via strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration.
- Omnichannel Promotion Management: Design and execute nationwide promotional campaigns across physical stores, new openings, and digital platforms including the myNEWS app, GrabMart, and Touch 'n Go eWallet.
- Project Leadership: Spearheaded the Vending Machine project from inception to launch, successfully delivering the KPJ2 Damansara Pilot in November 2024.
- Market Intelligence & R&D: Conduct consistent store visits and competitor analysis to identify market trends, providing actionable insights for the Fresh Food R&D team.
- Inventory & Waste Control: Monitor product health and implement mitigation plans to optimize wastage and return ratios across all fresh food categories.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamline internal workflows by leveraging IT expertise to eliminate manual processes and increase overall team productivity.
- Financial Accuracy: Oversee system settings and TTA (Trade Term Agreement) rebate analysis to ensure zero-tolerance for errors in pricing and financial reporting.
Food Buyer
Marks & Spencer operated by Littles Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Al-Futtaim Group)
10.2021 - 06.2024
- Effectively manage stock commitment at country and store level, full responsibility for M&S bakery, Frozen and Cafe P&L.
- Responsible for RM11mil sales for my assign categories.
- Responsible for assigned Categories' catalogue and maximize selections according to government's regulation.
- Maximize profitability through commercial probes using all information available.
- Set and maintain clear price structures which are both competitive in the market and achieve our financial objectives, as well as ensuring 100% adherence to anti-profiteering laws.
- Work closely with the retail teams and conduct regular store visits to gauge customer feedback and identify market trends.
- Work closely with UK principle food team to ensure products enter Malaysia and to provide forecast for production run in the UK.
Assistant Manager, Customer Account Management
DKSH Malaysia Sdn Bhd
06.2020 - 09.2021
- Business unit FERRERO MALAYSIA.
- Worked with IKA, LKA accounts, responsible for RM20mil sales.
- Develop attractive marketing and sales plan including promotional programs and services for individual key customers within agreed budget with client, based on strategic product guidelines.
- Plan, execute and monitor promotion plan to achieve sales target.
- Responsible for assigned key accounts' sales analysis and take appropriate action to adjust the tactics including special activities within agreed budget with client.
- Present monthly business review and market situation analysis with key customers' top management.
- Maintain close contact and good relationships with key customers, positively influence buyers to achieve customer's purchase target to achieve conditional rebate.
- Work closely with sales rep & Sales merchandiser to execute instore display and drive sales target to ensure sales rep/sales merchandiser KPIs are met to be qualified for their monthly incentive.
Merchandiser
AEON CO.BHD
12.2019 - 06.2020
- Responsible for BWS, Confectionaries, Biscuits and Groceries with 2 reporting staffs in for MaxValu Business.
- Aside from core products, sourcing for indent good and seasonal range.
- Building sustainable relationship with business partner to ensure growth on both parties while staying competitive.
- Controlling of Price Alteration, monitoring of stock turnover level. Actualize merchandise layout, Schematic Plan and display of store.
- Annual review on supplier's trading term.
- New store opening merchandise setup.
Buying Manager (Fresh)
Tesco (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
02.2019 - 11.2019
- Managed local fruit department annual sales total at RM39mil.
- Research and evaluate attractive lines of products to meet departmental needs, engage supplier daily to ensure our product quality and pricing stay competitive.
- Relationship management with vendor to ensure service level meets expectation during rainy season.
- Involve in decision making to select the best vendors based on price, quality, distribution cost and other factors, involved in contract farming forecast for local produce.
- Responsible for seasonal event for my department, execute sampling event and seasonal fruit fair launching.
- Communicate with line managers during the planning and purchasing process with vendors. Work closely with other departments during planning of new range of products.
- Recognize and analyze the future trends and consumer buying patterns. Seek new opportunity and manage risk through big data.
- Responsible for EAT FRESH own brand product selections and launching.
Buying executive
Tesco (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
06.2016 - 01.2019
- Assist Buying Manager in setting up cost & price in system, making sure no selling price dispute in outlet.
- Assist Buying Manager in reviewing products sales and profit margin, loss control.
- Monitor suppliers’ service level.
- Involve in decision making with team members regarding supplier selection base on product cost, quality and distribution concerns.
- Daily reporting on sales, monitor profit, waste & inventory. Promotion planning.
Education
Hospitality Management
National Chi Nan University
Taiwan12-2015
UEC - undefined
Pin Hwa High School
Klang11-2011
Skills
Proficient in Microsoft Word
Proficient with Microsoft Excel
Skilled in SAP ERP implementation
RMS knowledge
Proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint
Experienced with Google Colab
Interests
Advanced scuba diver
Reef aquarium hobbyist
Timeline
Merchandising Manager
Mynews Retail Sdn Bhd
07.2024 - Current
Food Buyer
Marks & Spencer operated by Littles Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Al-Futtaim Group)
10.2021 - 06.2024
Assistant Manager, Customer Account Management
DKSH Malaysia Sdn Bhd
06.2020 - 09.2021
Merchandiser
AEON CO.BHD
12.2019 - 06.2020
Buying Manager (Fresh)
Tesco (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
02.2019 - 11.2019
Buying executive
Tesco (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
06.2016 - 01.2019
UEC - undefined
Pin Hwa High School
Hospitality Management
National Chi Nan University