Buying and Merchandising - Retail

Role & responsibilities

A. Buying & Merchandising

• Develop and execute seasonal and annual buying strategies aligned with sales targets and margin objectives.
• Analyse sales trends, consumer behaviour, MIS reports, and market insights to determine optimal product assortment and category mix.
• Identify new product opportunities and introduce relevant categories based on data-driven analysis.
• Lead vendor sourcing, negotiations, pricing finalization, and commercial terms to ensure profitability.
• Maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure product quality, compliance, and timely deliveries.
• Monitor competitor activity, pricing strategies, and market positioning.
• Manage OTB (Open to Buy) budgets and ensure buying decisions align with financial targets.

B. Planning & Inventory Management

• Lead merchandise planning through demand forecasting, historical data analysis, and market intelligence.
• Monitor inventory levels to maintain optimal stock availability and reduce stock-outs and overstocking.
• Drive allocation strategies across stores/regions to maximize sell-through.
• Manage inventory turnover, aging stock, markdowns, and clearance strategies to improve margins.
• Align inventory plans with promotions, seasonality, and marketing calendars.
• Track and analyze key KPIs such as sell-through %, GMROI, stock cover, and category performance.

C. Process & Performance Management

• Implement structured buying and planning processes supported by MIS dashboards and analytics.
• Drive continuous process improvements in procurement and inventory planning.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and financial controls.
• Present performance reports and actionable insights to senior management.
• Collaborate with retail operations, finance, marketing, and supply chain teams to ensure business alignment.