Merchandise Manager -ANTA UAE (Mandarin Speaker)

Anta International; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

ANTA UAE is seeking a Merchandise Planning leader to drive seasonal planning, forecasting and inventory for the UAE market. You will coordinate with ANTA Brand International Headquarters in China on assortment, strategy, and launches, while overseeing in-season operations across stores to optimize stock and sales.

The role requires strong analytical skills, cross-functional collaboration, and Mandarin fluency to liaise with China HQ. English proficiency is preferred for internal communications.

Qualifications

• Experience in merchandise planning and retail merchandising.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills with KPI knowledge.
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese required for coordination with China HQ.

Responsibilities

• Lead merchandise planning for ANTA UAE including seasonal planning, forecasting and inventory planning.
• Collaborate with ANTA Brand International Headquarters in China on assortment, product strategy and launches for the UAE.
• Manage in-season operations: allocation, replenishment, stock balancing and inventory optimization across stores.
• Monitor KPIs: sales, sell-through, WOS, stock turn and aging; translate insights into actions.
• Identify fast- and slow-moving products and drive timely actions to maximize sales and inventory efficiency.
• Develop and execute markdown and clearance plans based on lifecycle and performance.
• Partner with Retail, Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain on openings, campaigns and commercial activities.

Skills

Merchandise planning

Retail merchandising

Analytical skills

Cross-functional communication

Stakeholder management

Mandarin Chinese

English proficiency

Job description

ANTA was established in 1991, while ANTA Sports Products Limited, a widely recognized global sportswear company, was listed on the Main Board of HKEX in 2007 (Stock code: 2020.HK). For many years, ANTA Sports has been principally engaging in the design, R&D, manufacturing, marketing and sales of professional sports products including shoes, apparel and accessories to Chinese consumers. By embracing an all-round brand portfolio including ANTA, FILA, DESCENTE and KOLON SPORT, and by setting up an investor consortium to successfully acquire Amer Sports in 2019, a global sportswear group that has internationally recognized brands including Arc’teryx, Salomon, Wilson, Peak Performance, Atomic, etc. ANTA Sports aims to unlock the potential of both the mass and high-end sportswear markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead merchandise planning for ANTA UAE, including seasonal planning, sales forecasting, inventory planning and product performance review.
• Work closely with ANTA Brand International Headquarters in China on seasonal assortment, product strategy, product launches and merchandise priorities for the UAE market.
• Manage in-season merchandise operations, including allocation, replenishment, stock balancing and inventory optimization across retail stores.
• Monitor key merchandise KPIs including sales, sell-through, WOS, stock turn and inventory aging, and translate insights into commercial actions.
• Identify fast- and slow-moving products and drive timely actions to maximize sales and improve inventory efficiency.
• Develop and execute markdown and clearance plans based on product lifecycle, inventory aging and business performance.
• Partner with Retail, Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain teams to support store openings, campaigns and key commercial activities.

Requirements

• Relevant experience in merchandise planning / retail merchandising, preferably in sportswear, footwear, fashion or lifestyle retail.
• Strong understanding of the full merchandise lifecycle, from planning and in-season management to markdown.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills with solid knowledge of key retail merchandise KPIs.
• Strong cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese is required, as the role involves frequent communication and coordination with ANTA Brand Headquarters in China.
• Professional working proficiency in English is preferred.