Roles

2 Roles

Roles are used to classify users based on job responsibilities and actions to be performed in the application. Using roles, a user's access can be restricted to specific areas or functions within the system. Users must be associated with at least one job role in order to access the application and may be associated with several roles if desired.

For example, within Allocation, a user associated with a business role of an Allocator may be able to perform only the tasks associated to this profile such as searching and viewing allocations, submitting an allocation, viewing size profiles, and so on. He might additionally have view only access to the system options screen, but will not be able to modify anything in the UI. On the other hand, an Allocation Manager will have access to manage and approve allocations, maintain system options, and so on.

Figure 2-1 Allocation Roles

Roles Provided at Initial Setup

A default security configuration is provided with each application during installation and is intended to be used as a starting point as you define the roles that align for your business and users. The provided roles can be modified by adding or removing duties and/or individual privileges to adjust the access granted to the role, or the roles can be deleted completely. Additional roles can be created as well and can be mapped to the desired duties or privileges. Administrator users can change the mappings of roles, duties and privileges in Allocation's User Interface.

Details about how to manage these application security policies are available in Chapter 2, Manage Security Policies in the Oracle Retail Merchandising Administration Guide.

There are four roles provided in the default security configuration:

Application Administrator

The Application Administrator is a part of a retailer's IT department responsible for maintaining and configuring the Allocation application. Primary responsibilities include:

Maintain daily operations, such as daily batch processes of the application
Supporting end-users and providing the first level of support for the application
Applying patches and upgrades to the application on a regular basis
Troubleshooting and resolving product issues
Setting up users and security privileges for the application

Allocator

An Allocator is mainly responsible for the distribution of selling product supporting the following key business cases; pre-season and initial floor sets and assortments, in season and or point in time replenishment, end of season exit strategies, one time buys, test product and promotional events. Objective of each allocation is to ensure the right volume at the right time is allocated to optimize profitability and aide in decreasing markdown liabilities, by reviewing the sales and stock levels per location. The Allocator will often be the first point of contact for the stores to the merchandising and planning teams. Primary responsibilities include:

Identify specific opportunities (e.g., sales stock relationships, over under-performing locations, top bottom selling items)
Recommend action to be taken on identified opportunities
Maintain store inventory levels for short shelf life items such as seasonal items or initial distributions
Provide input to central planning organization to inform pre-season FOB strategy and achieve open to buy objectives
Recommend assortment allocation changes
Analyze space productivity and recommend or decide changes in space allocations to drive sales
React to sudden change item location or regional demand

Allocation Manager

An Allocation Manager is responsible for driving inventory strategies that support brand objectives, maximize opportunities, and minimize risk to the business. Allocation managers lead a team of Allocators and are continuously looking for opportunities for improving the efficiencies of allocating merchandise throughout a retailer's supply chain. Key responsibilities include:

Managing the sales, margin, and inventory turn goals for one or more divisions
Analyzing historical data and trends to identify risks and opportunities for the business
Analyzing and executing replenishment strategies for stores and or warehouses
Working with a cross-functional team both pre-season and in-season to understand the buy plans and shape inventory decisions
Increase team operational efficiencies by identifying training opportunities, testing new and advanced product features and adapting to change in business model and or company growth

Buyer

Develops business strategies and seasonal assortment plans to maximize the development of the brand, as well as sales and profits for a department or assigned area. Their primary responsibilities are:

Performing market and competitive analysis and analyze sales trends to keep abreast of current trends
Developing business strategies outlining strengths, weaknesses, new opportunities and threats

Analyzing and approving new product or concepts for their department.
Maintaining relationships, resolve issues and conduct negotiations with significant suppliers and agents
Managing sales and margin dollar performance against plan
Recommending adjustments to the plan to maximize sales, profits, and to protect the brand