Objective:
The position is responsible for planning and executing product and assortment strategies that meet or exceed financial targets. It involves coordinating merchandise allocation, managing inventory levels, supporting pre-season financial planning and in-season forecasting, and ensuring balanced collections across stores. The role plays a critical part in maintaining stock health, driving category performance, and enhancing customer experience in collaboration with the Brand Manager.
Key Responsibility:
- Assist in developing merchandise plans based on sales trends, product mix, and brand forecasts.
- Coordinate pre-season financial planning, in-season projections, open-to-buy management, and new store budgeting.
- Plan store-wise merchandise mix and manage product allocation, pre-distribution, and reserve stock.
- Analyze store profiles using metrics such as weeks of stock, sales mix, and inventory by store grade.
- Finalize seasonal assortment plans and size run books in coordination with the Senior Merchandiser.
- Monitor competitor pricing, product offerings, and merchandising strategies to support positioning.
- Ensure efficient in-season stock management, including markdowns, replenishments, and stock balancing.
- Manage margin negotiations, order placements, product selection, and distribution in line with company targets.
- Track performance of bestsellers and slow movers; take corrective action to improve turnover and profitability.
- Monitor actual sales vs. forecasts, conduct regular inventory checks, and ensure timely replenishments.
- Oversee compliance with stock ageing standards and maintain stock turns as per company policy.
- Conduct regular store visits and competitor analysis alongside the Brand Manager, providing strategic feedback.
Desired Experience:
- 6-8 years of experience in pre-season financial planning, in-season forecasting, and open-to-buy management.
- Strong understanding of merchandising operations across multi-store retail environments.
- Proven ability to drive sales performance through strategic assortment and inventory planning.
- Experience in cross-functional collaboration with planning, buying, and operations teams.
