Head - Merchandiser - Luxury Apparel Store (9-16 yrs)

Role Summary:

The Head Merchandiser will drive the merchandising strategy and execution for a multi-designer luxury apparel store. This role is pivotal in curating designer selections, managing inventory, optimizing assortment planning, and ensuring brand alignment with luxury positioning. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in luxury retail, strong analytical skills, and an eye for fashion trends and designer collaborations.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Buying & Assortment Planning

- Curate and manage seasonal buying plans across multiple luxury designer brands.

- Build and maintain strong relationships with Indian and international designers.

- Ensure product selection aligns with the stores target clientele, fashion trends, and brand identity.

- Negotiate exclusives, margins, and deliveries with designers and suppliers.

2. Merchandise Strategy & Planning

- Develop and implement long-term merchandising strategies based on market trends and sales data.

- Oversee Open-to-Buy (OTB) planning, category mix, and product lifecycle.

- Forecast demand and plan optimum inventory levels to minimize stock-outs and markdowns.

3. Vendor & Designer Management

- Source new designers and labels to keep the offering fresh and trend-forward.

- Maintain healthy vendor relationships, track performance, and ensure timely product deliveries.

4. Inventory Management

- Monitor stock turns, sell-through rates, and aged inventory.

- Optimize inventory flow between store, warehouse, and possible online channels.

- Drive inventory control measures and coordinate with operations for periodic audits.

5. Visual Merchandising & Store Presentation

- Work closely with Visual Merchandising teams to ensure product display aligns with seasonal themes and enhances customer engagement.

- Recommend and execute floor moves based on performance analysis.

6. Business & Team Management

- Lead, train, and mentor the merchandising team.

- Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, retail operations, and e-commerce teams.

- Analyze business performance metrics, prepare reports, and present insights to senior leadership.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Strong fashion sensibility and understanding of the luxury consumer.

- Excellent vendor negotiation and relationship management skills.

- Strong analytical and planning ability with a commercial mindset.

- Proficient in Excel, merchandising systems (e.g., ERP/POS tools), and reporting tools.

- Leadership and team management experience.

- High attention to detail and an appreciation for quality and craftsmanship.