Merchandising Manager

Position Summary

The Merchandising Manager is responsible for defining the overall merchandising vision and driving strategic planning initiatives for the brand. This role leads a team of merchandisers and holds accountability for key areas including regional planning, Open-to-Buy (OTB) management, pricing strategy, buying decisions, and overall sales and inventory performance.

The incumbent will oversee inventory management, purchase cycles, reporting, and administrative functions to ensure the effective execution of the brand’s commercial strategy.

Working cross-functionally, the role collaborates closely with the Planning Manager, Operations, and Inventory & Logistics teams to ensure alignment and achievement of sales and margin targets. Additionally, the candidate will partner with Marketing teams to drive impactful campaigns and initiatives through a strong product-focused approach.

Key Responsibilities

• •Understand and support overall brand strategy through all business trading channels.
• •Responsible for overall inventory management across regions.
• •Lead to create merchandise classification analytics to help understand trends, pricing effects, and stock position.
• •Lead the partnership with Logistics team to ensure timely delivery of PO’s to our warehouses and from our warehouse to the shop floors.
• •Coach buyers/allocators/Merchandising Assistants on creating quality quarterly, seasonal and annual sales/stock plans.
• •Create detailed reviews of seasonal/annual financial plans to insure correct sales and receipt flow, markdown plans, pricing strategy and other key components.
• •Develop long range as well as short term merchandise strategies at the country/category/sku level.
• •Review in-season performance and recommend in-season adjustments to achieve sales, margin and turnover goals.
• •Lead the team in transitioning to new system, manage planning system issues and availability with support teams.
• •Assist team in delivering sales and profit contribution of the brand.
• •Overall responsible for ensuring the correct products are selected / ordered for the market according to the peculiarity of customers in the different doors.
• •Lead in ensuring the products appear in the right store at the appropriate time and in sufficient units to maximize sales potential while minimizing lost sale opportunities.
• •Monitor and analyze product performance through system generated reports, and to make recommendations on stock movement, reorders, promotion or markdowns whenever necessary.
• •Gather information from retail personnel on customers’ reaction towards new products after each launch and to compare results with previous seasons launches.
• •Gather information on key players in the luxury market in the area of new product launches, pricing, limited editions, promotional activities, etc.
• •Monitor shipment fulfillment and delivery schedule.
• •Maintain a comprehensive library of appropriate data for regular review.
• •Be proficient in ad hoc analysis that drives sales and profit.
• •Managing and maintaining a positive working relationship with the Brand principal.
• •Ensure adherence and compliance to all retail operations procedures.
• •Contribute positively to the team, share knowledge and regularly mentor new talent.
• •Conduct Performance management Plan for staff bi annually with team member.
• •Improve staff morale leading to positive and dynamic working attitude and environment.
• •Supervise planner/associate planner to ensure plans meet financial and merchandising objectives and review buys at both top line and SKU level.
• •Maintain general and acceptable staff working conditions.

Key Requirements

• •Minimum 8 years of management experience in footwear, handbags, beauty, fashion or retail F&B.
• •Ability to analyse data and craft workable findings from consumer and market intelligence and insights.
• •Good interpersonal skills.
• •Pleasant Personality.
• •Excellent communicator.
• •Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• •Result, detail oriented and organized.
• •Teamwork, people leadership and stakeholder management.
• •Demonstrate resilience, agility, innovation, manage complexities and navigate ambiguities.
• •Fluent English and both in written and spoken. Knowledge of other language is added advantage.