Category Manager – Apparel

r3 Consultant; New Delhi; On-site; INR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in New Delhi is seeking a Category Manager for the apparel sector. The candidate should possess 5-6 years of relevant experience in managing assortments and vendors, with strong analytical skills. This role involves full P&L responsibility, inventory management, and collaboration with design and marketing teams. Ideal applicants will have a deep understanding of apparel economics and a decisive, ownership mindset, thriving in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5–6 years of experience as a category manager, merchandiser, or buyer in apparel.
• Proven experience managing large assortments and multiple vendors.
• Comfort operating in fast‑paced, launch‑driven environments.

Responsibilities

• Own category P&L including revenue, margin, sell-through, and inventory turns.
• Forecast demand and finalize buy quantities with disciplined risk management.
• Drive margin improvement through cost control and pricing strategy.

Skills

Understanding of apparel economics and consumer demand

Analytical capability with Excel or reporting tools

Ownership mindset

Job description

Job Title: Category Manager – Apparel

Experience: 5–6 years

Industry: Apparel / Fashion / Lifestyle

Role Summary

Own the apparel category end-to-end. This role is responsible for building a profitable, well‑edited assortment that balances trend relevance, margin discipline, and inventory health. The mandate is commercial clarity: right products, right depth, right timing.

Key Responsibilities

• Own category P&L including revenue, margin, sell-through, and inventory turns.
• Plan seasonal assortments using customer data, trends, and brand direction.
• Define category architecture including price ladders, fabric mix, silhouettes, and core vs novelty split.
• Work with design, sourcing, and production teams to ensure commercial viability.
• Forecast demand and finalize buy quantities with disciplined risk management.
• Track weekly performance and take corrective actions on pricing, replenishment, or liquidation.
• Drive margin improvement through cost control, pricing strategy, and mix optimization.
• Align with marketing and merchandising teams on launches and campaigns.
• Own in‑season and end‑of‑season inventory decisions with full accountability.

Requirements

• 5–6 years of experience as a category manager, merchandiser, or buyer in apparel.
• Strong understanding of apparel economics and consumer demand.
• Proven experience managing large assortments and multiple vendors.
• Strong knowledge of fabrics, construction, costing, and pricing architecture.
• Comfort operating in fast‑paced, launch‑driven environments.
• Strong analytical capability with Excel or reporting tools.
• Decisive operator with ownership mindset.

Nice to Have

• Experience with DTC or omnichannel apparel brands.
• Exposure to private label or in‑house design categories.
• Ability to manage or mentor junior team members.

What This Role Is Not

• Not a design‑only role.
• Not a planning‑only role.
• Not suitable for low‑ownership profiles.