Lead Merchant EMEA – Portfolio Brands (f/m/x)

Fossil; Basel; Hybrid; CHF 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global exposure

International teams

Growth opportunities

Wellbeing programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

Fossil Basel is seeking a strategic Lead Merchant EMEA – Portfolio Brands (Armani focus) to shape the regional product and assortment strategy, collaborating with global brand teams, regional sales, and key accounts to elevate luxury brand performance. In this Basel-based, hybrid role you will work onsite Monday-Thursday with remote Fridays, reporting to the SVP Brand in Dallas.

You will drive lifecycle management, cross-functional collaboration, analytics, and key events to strengthen Armani

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive merchandising experience in fashion, accessories, or consumer goods; luxury or premium brands preferred.
• Fluent in English; additional European languages are a strong asset.
• Strong analytical mindset and data-driven merchandising decisions.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration across cross-functional, regional, and global teams.
• Deep understanding of Armani and portfolio brand positioning within luxury segment.

Responsibilities

• Product Assortment Planning & Lifecycle Management: collaborate with global teams to implement tiered assortment strategies and oversee lifecycle management for premium markets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Key Account Support: bridge commercial and global merchandising teams; align with Demand Planning, Sales, and Marketing.
• Sales Analytics, Competitive Intelligence & Sales Tools: analyze sales, KPIs, trends; monitor competitors and create regional merchandising tools.
• Distribution, Fixture Buys & Event Execution: support distribution approvals; track door counts and lead in-store merchandising for trade shows and events.

Skills

Merchandising

Strategic thinking

Analytical mindset

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Job description

Make an Impact

We are seeking a strategic, commercially driven, and experienced Lead Merchant EMEA – Portfolio Brands (f/m/x) with a primary focus on Armani within our licensed brand portfolio. In this pivotal role, you will lead the regional product and assortment strategy, collaborating closely with Global Brand teams, Regional Sales, Key Account partners, Marketing, and Demand Planners to achieve both financial and business growth objectives across the EMEA region. Acting as the primary liaison for Armani, you will represent global brand vision in key account meetings while driving local market adaptation.

This is a hybrid position based in our Basel office. You will be required to work onsite from Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays. This role reports directly to the SVP Brand, located at our Global Headquarters in Dallas, USA.

What you will do in this role:

Product Assortment Planning & Lifecycle Management

• Collaborate with global brand teams to implement tiered assortment strategies for our portfolio brands, aligning global guidance with regional market needs.

• Evaluate and communicate regional consumer preferences to build a carefully curated product mix that resonates in the premium and luxury space.

• Oversee full lifecycle management and support the expansion of new commercial platforms in key EMEA markets.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Key Account Support

• Act as the vital bridge between commercial teams and global merchandising teams, ensuring key account demands and market nuances are met.

• Partner with Demand Planning, Sales, and Marketing to drive cross-functional alignment on product selections, inventory targets, and promotional strategies.

• Directly represent the brand portfolio in key account meetings to strengthen retailer partnerships and market share.

Sales Analytics, Competitive Intelligence & Sales Tools

• Analyze sales performance, sell-through data, and KPIs to generate actionable insights that drive commercial success.

• Monitor market trends, competitor assortments, and pricing strategies within the luxury and fashion landscape to capture growth opportunities.

• Develop region-specific merchandising tools to empower sales teams and maximize retail success across licensed brands.

Distribution, Fixture Buys & Event Execution

• Support global teams with new distribution approvals and annual door count tracking to optimize regional brand visibility.

• Manage quarterly fixture requirements in line with market growth priorities for high-impact point-of-sale execution.

• Lead the planning, preparation, and merchandising execution for major trade shows and key customer events.

Who You Are

• Professional Experience: 10+ years of progressive merchandising experience within fashion, accessories, or consumer goods, ideally with luxury or premium brands.

• Brand Expertise: In-depth understanding of the positioning, aesthetic, and market positioning of Armani and portfolio brands.

• Market Insight: Thorough understanding of regional consumer behavior, the luxury retail landscape, and competitive market dynamics across EMEA.

• Analytical Mindset: Proven capability to analyze sales performance, trends, and complex metrics to make data-driven merchandising decisions.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with a proven track record of driving results across cross-functional, regional, and global matrix teams.

• Language Skills: Fluent in English; proficiency in additional European languages is a strong asset.

What We Offer

• A collaborative and international work environment where innovation and creativity are encouraged.

• Opportunities to work with globally recognized brands and diverse teams across the EMEA region.

• Professional growth and development within a dynamic and evolving organization.

• Participation in local employee engagement activities and wellbeing initiatives.

• Employee discounts on Fossil Group products.