Head of Merchandising and Buying

Head of Merchandising and BuyingDefine, develop, and lead the comprehensive merchandising and buying strategy, ensuring alignment with brand positioning and business goals across all categories and channels.Build and oversee seasonal merchandise financial plans, Open-to-Buy (OTB) frameworks, range architecture, and pricing models that maximize profitability and inventory productivity.Manage and inspire a high-performing team including Merchandiser - Planning, Merchandiser - Allocator, and Buyers, ensuring a trend-right, commercially successful product assortment.Coach, mentor, and develop the merchandising team, driving skills enhancement and succession planningAnalyze sales data, margin performance, and inventory KPIs to identify opportunities for optimization and enhance stock turnover.Collaborate cross-functionally with Planning, Public Relations, Marketing, Retail Operations, Finance, and Wholesale teams to ensure cohesive execution of product launches and campaigns.Identify emerging consumer trends, market opportunities, and whitespace to expand and diversify the product offering.Develop and nurture strategic vendor relationships with key local and global partners to ensure supply chain excellence and innovation.Partner closely with the Wholesale Manager to align merchandise strategies and optimize channelQualifications:Minimum 10 years of experience in merchandising and buying, with at least 3-5 years in a senior leadership role.Strong expertise in lifestyle, luxury, or premium sportswear industries, with a proven track record of driving commercial success.Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical abilities, and experience in merchandise financial planning and category management.Proficient in ERP and merchandising systems (e.g., Odoo, Looker), and advanced Microsoft Office 365 skills including Excel and PowerPoint for data analysis and presentations.Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, align, and collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholders.Familiarity with global sourcing, product lifecycle management, and retail business models.Passion for innovation, sustainability, and upholding company values in all facets of work.