General Merchandise Manager - Womenswear

Job description

About the Role:
1. Merchandising Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and execute seasonal merchandising strategies for all womenswear categories (e.g., dresses, tops, bottoms, outerwear, knitwear, denim, activewear, lingerie, accessories).
• Analyze market trends, competitor offerings, and customer insights to identify growth opportunities.
• Set financial targets (sales, margin, inventory) and ensure alignment with company goals.

2. Assortment & Range Planning:

• Oversee the selection, pricing, and positioning of products across all channels (e.g., e-commerce, brick-and-mortar, wholesale).
• Ensure a balanced product mix (core vs. fashion, price tiers, sizes, colors) that meets customer needs.
• Collaborate with design and product development to align on trends, fabrics, and silhouettes.

3. Financial Management & Performance:

• Monitor sales performance, markdowns, and inventory turnover, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Conduct pre- and post-season business reviews to assess performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Optimize margin through pricing strategies, cost negotiations, and promotional planning.

4. Team Leadership & Collaboration:

• Manage and mentor a team of buyers, assistant buyers, and planners.
• Partner with cross-functional teams (design, marketing, retail, e-commerce) to ensure cohesive execution of merchandising plans.
• Liaise with suppliers and vendors to secure optimal product quality, delivery timelines, and costs.

5. Inventory & Supply Chain Management:

• Work with planning teams to ensure optimal stock levels, minimizing excess inventory and stockouts.
• Monitor production and delivery timelines to meet key launch dates.

About the Candidate:

• Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business, or related field.
• 8+ years of merchandising experience in womenswear, with expertise across multiple product categories.
• Strong analytical skills (retail math, Excel, merchandising systems).
• Proven leadership and team management abilities.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and trend forecasting skills.
• Experience with omnichannel retail strategies preferred.