Assistant Merchandise Manager

Overall Mission

Analyze, control, buy, and optimize merchandise deployment across assigned categories. Act as the primary commercial liaison between the office and boutiques, ensuring effective communication and alignment of strategy. Drive product selection, inventory management, and sales performance to maximize profitability and brand image.

Main activities

Merchandise Planning and Open-to-Buy Management

• Develop and execute open-to-buy budgets, allocation plans, and merchandise selection strategies for assigned categories and boutiques
• Prepare and present post-season and in-season analysis to optimize assortment and inventory levels
• Identify key trends by product category and season to inform buying and assortment strategies
• Manage open-to-buy budgets for assigned categories and collaborate with buyers during buying sessions, ensuring a well-balanced and curated product offer
• Forecast sales and stock needs for new and carryover lines
• Synthesize buying results and conduct post-buy analysis, highlighting key findings for management
• Coordinate with international and local departments in managing the merchandise plan, order and stock portfolio
• Provide qualitative feedback and trend analysis for short and long-term planning,
• Contribute to annual budgeting, reforecasting, and business planning processes

Sales and Inventory Performance Management

• Consolidate and monitor monthly sales activities for assigned categories, providing reporting and follow-up
• Drive sell-through for seasonal and permanent collections, optimizing product mix and managing lifecycle
• Initiate action plans to drive sales and inventory performance
• Optimize stock movement, minimize aged stock and manage exit strategies

Supply Chain

• Facilitate product supply in coordination with customer service, retail planning, and inventory teams
• Ensure product availability for product launches, store openings and ongoing operations
• Define and monitor min-max levels for Permanent Stocks on automatic replenishment

Collaboration & Customer Insights

• Coordinate with international, regional and local teams on projects and initiatives
• Monitor CRM data to follow trends and derive insights
• Work closely with finance, logistics, and retail teams to align merchandise strategy with business objectives

Performance criteria

• Achievement of commercial and financial objectives as set in the annual budget.
• Achievement of sales and stock efficiency targets for assigned categories and boutiques
• Successful execution of assortment, buying, and inventory strategies.
• Contribution to the overall development of the brand

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrates a strong interest in merchandise and emerging industry trends
• 3 years or more of merchandise planning experience
• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Marketing, Fashion, Merchandising, or related fields preferred
• Possesses analytical and numerical skills; advanced Excel proficiency
• Proven negotiation, communication, and relationship management abilities
• Experienced in buying/merchandise planning, Luxury and Fashion industry experience advantageous
• Able to work collaboratively and influence cross-functional teams
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of luxury consumer behaviour

Eligibility

To be an eligible candidate for this position, we kindly ask that you have full working rights within Australia.