The Head of Merchandising leads the company’s product and inventory strategy — ensuring the right range, pricing, and stock mix to achieve sales and profit targets across all retail and online channels.
This role bridges design, sourcing, and commercial performance, balancing creativity with financial discipline.
Key Responsibilities
- Define the overall product vision and category mix (living, dining, bedroom, office, outdoor, décor).
- Analyze market trends, competitors, and customer insights to guide product selection and innovation.
- Work with the Brand & Marketing team to plan seasonal product launches, hero items, and promotional focuses.
- Ensure each brand / store concept (e.g., premium vs entry) has a distinct and consistent assortment identity.
2. Buying & Supplier Management
Lead the buying process — from supplier selection, negotiation, and cost control to final purchasing decisions.Manage supplier relationships across key sourcing markets (China, Vietnam, Italy, etc.) to secure the best terms, exclusivity, and new design access.Conduct regular overseas sourcing trips and fairs to identify trends and new opportunities.Ensure vendor compliance with quality, delivery, and rebate agreements.Build and maintain a structured pricing architecture by brand and category.Monitor gross margin %, landed cost, and competitive price positioning.Work closely with Finance on cost validation and margin control, and with Marketing on campaign pricing.Evaluate markdown strategies to clear aged inventory while protecting brand value.4. Inventory Planning & OTB Control
Own the OTB (Open-to-Buy) process and ensure purchasing aligns with sales budgets and sell-through targets.Track inventory health monthly — stock turnover, months of cover, and ageing.Collaborate with Warehouse on inbound scheduling and space management.Maintain balanced stock allocation across showrooms and online channels.5. Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Lead the merchandising team, including buyers, planners, data entry executives, and category managers.Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Retail Management, or equivalent.8–12 years’ experience in retail merchandising or category management (furniture, home, lifestyle, or fashion).Strong analytical skills with proven commercial judgment.Excellent negotiation and supplier-relationship management.Hands‑on experience with ERP / WMS systems and data‑driven decision‑making.International sourcing exposure preferred.Skills & Attributes
Strategic thinker with sharp commercial instincts.Strong numerical and analytical ability.Excellent communication and leadership skills.Balance of creativity and commercial discipline.Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and execution‑driven.#J-18808-Ljbffr