Samuele Villa, Planning & Allocation Manager, GUESS Europe

In order to help current students and recent graduates to find their way in the working world, many of our alumni shared their career story. Here the story of Samuele Villa, Planning & Allocation Manager - @Rag and Bone at GUESS Europe in Bioggio (CH). USI Degree: Master in Management, 2019.

How did you start your career?

I started my career in the fashion retail industry, building a strong foundation in retail planning and allocation within international organizations. From the outset, I worked on translating commercial strategies into concrete assortment, stock, and distribution decisions across multiple markets. In my early roles, I partnered closely with merchandising, retail, and finance teams, developing a data-driven approach to performance analysis, stock optimization, and regional planning. This experience gave me a solid understanding of how strategic decisions impact store performance and profitability.

Why did you choose a career at GUESS Europe?

I chose to build my career at my current company because of its strong brand positioning, international mindset, and clear ambition for growth across key markets. The company offers a dynamic environment where strategic thinking, execution excellence, and accountability are highly valued. What particularly motivated me was the opportunity to work in a role that sits at the intersection of retail performance, commercial strategy, and regional development. This allowed me to have direct exposure to decision-making processes and to contribute tangibly to business outcomes. Additionally, the company’s focus on empowering talent, encouraging ownership, and fostering cross-functional collaboration aligned closely with my personal values and my ambition to grow as a leader.

What is your current role/duties?

In my current role, I am responsible for driving retail development and performance across multiple markets in the EMEA region for rag & bone, an American brand recently acquired by GUESS. I support the integration and expansion of the brand within the European market, aligning its positioning and retail strategy with regional commercial objectives.

My responsibilities include defining retail expansion plans, overseeing store network development, and leading retail planning and allocation activities to optimize assortment, stock distribution, and investment decisions. I translate sales performance and market insights into actionable strategies that improve store productivity and profitability.

I work closely with cross-functional teams—including merchandising, finance, operations, and store leadership—to ensure effective execution at regional level. Additionally, I contribute to strategic decision-making by providing performance analysis, identifying growth opportunities, and supporting leadership with data-driven recommendations, while continuing to develop my people management and leadership capabilities.

In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career at GUESS Europe?

In my opinion, while each company has its own specific culture and expectations, there are core qualities that are essential for building a successful career in general and particularly in an international, performance-driven environment like my company.

Humility is fundamental to remain open to feedback, continuously learn, and recognize that strong results are achieved through teamwork rather than individual effort. Curiosity drives continuous improvement, encourages innovation, and helps individuals better understand the business, the market, and different perspectives across functions and regions. Loyalty builds trust, long-term commitment, and a sense of responsibility toward the brand, the team, and shared objectives.

Combined with a strong sense of ownership, analytical thinking, and the ability to collaborate and adapt to change, these qualities enable sustainable growth, effective leadership, and long-term impact within the organization.

What positive aspects and qualities meant most to you during the study programme you attended?

During my study programs, the aspects that mattered most to me were the development of a strong analytical mindset, intellectual curiosity, and a disciplined approach to problem-solving. My academic experience taught me how to structure complex information, think critically, and make decisions based on data and logic rather than assumptions.

Equally important was the emphasis on continuous learning and adaptability. Engaging with diverse subjects, team projects, and different points of view helped me build curiosity and openness, which I now consider essential both professionally and personally.

Finally, collaboration, commitment, and integrity played a key role in shaping my approach to work. Working toward shared goals, respecting different perspectives, and taking responsibility for outcomes during my studies laid the foundation for the values I apply today in a professional and managerial context.

What competences and skills acquired in your USI Study Program have been useful/are useful to your professional career?

During my study program at USI, I developed a strong combination of analytical, strategic, and interpersonal skills that continue to support my professional growth.

From a technical perspective, I strengthened my abilities in data analysis, quantitative reasoning, and structured problem-solving, learning how to interpret complex information and translate it into clear insights and recommendations. The program also enhanced my understanding of business dynamics, decision-making frameworks, and performance evaluation.

Equally important were the soft skills acquired through teamwork, presentations, and project-based work. I developed effective communication skills, the ability to work in multicultural environments, and a collaborative approach to achieving shared objectives. Time management, accountability, and adaptability were further reinforced by balancing academic rigor with multiple deadlines.

Overall, the USI study program provided a solid foundation that supports both my managerial responsibilities and my long-term leadership development.

What is your advice to USI students entering the job market?

My advice to USI students entering the job market is to combine strong technical preparation with humility, curiosity, and consistency. The transition from academic life to a professional environment requires patience and a willingness to learn every day, especially in the early stages of a career.

Focus on understanding the business from the ground up, ask questions, and seek feedback proactively. Be open to roles that may not seem perfect at first but offer exposure, responsibility, and learning opportunities. Early experiences are fundamental in building credibility and long-term career direction.

Finally, invest in relationships and act with integrity. Building trust, showing commitment, and being reliable over time will differentiate you as much as technical skills. Careers are built step by step, through sustained effort, adaptability, and a long-term mindset rather than immediate results.