Head Merchandiser

Boots2suits Consultancy; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Boots2suits Consultancy is seeking a Category Head to drive strategy, assortment, pricing, and profitability across the assigned product categories. You will lead cross-functional teams and manage supplier relationships to deliver revenue growth and efficient inventory.

The role requires deep expertise in category management, strong negotiation skills, and leadership to mentor Buyers and Merchandisers. Grounded in Mumbai area with a focus on omnichannel expansion.

Qualifications

• MBA or postgraduate in a related field with business focus.
• Strong experience in category management and retail operations.
• Proven ability to own P&L, pricing, and profitability.
• Experience in ecommerce/marketplaces is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the annual business plan for the assigned category.
• Own the complete P&L, revenue, margin, and growth targets.
• Develop category expansion and assortment strategies.
• Identify new business opportunities and emerging product trends.
• Identify and onboard national and international brands.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, and margins with vendors.
• Plan launches and promotional calendars.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Skills

Category Management

Buying & Merchandising

Vendor Management

Strategic Sourcing

Commercial Negotiation

Pricing Strategy

Inventory Planning

Business Analytics

Leadership and Team Management

Communication & Presentation

Education

MBA (Marketing/Retail/Operations)

Graduate in Business/Commerce/Marketing

Tools

Advanced Excel

ERP Systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Category Head will lead the complete business strategy for assigned product categories. The role is responsible for achieving revenue, gross margin, inventory efficiency, vendor development, customer satisfaction, and category profitability while working closely with Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Production, and Digital teams.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy

• Define and execute the annual business plan for the assigned category.
• Own the complete P&L, revenue, margin, and growth targets.
• Develop category expansion and assortment strategies.
• Identify new business opportunities and emerging product trends.

Buying & Sourcing

• Identify and on board national and international brands.
• Develop strategic vendor partnerships.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, margins, rebates, and payment terms.
• Ensure availability of high-demand and exclusive products.

Product Selection & Merchandising

• Finalize product assortment based on customer demand and market trends.
• Plan new product launches and promotional calendars.
• Ensure attractive product positioning across website, and mobile platforms.
• Maintain the right product mix to maximize sales and profitability.

Pricing & Profitability

• Develop competitive pricing strategies.
• Monitor contribution margins and profitability.
• Improve average order value and category conversion.
• Optimize promotional investments.

Inventory Management

• Monitor inventory health and stock turnover.
• Reduce slow-moving and non-performing inventory.
• Ensure product availability while minimizing excess stock.
• Coordinate demand forecasting with Supply Chain.

Sales & Business Growth

• Drive GMV, revenue, and profitability for the assigned category.
• Review daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance.
• Identify growth opportunities using market insights and customer data.
• Launch seasonal and festival campaigns.

Vendor Management

• Build long-term relationships with key suppliers and brands.
• Conduct periodic business reviews with vendors.
• Resolve supply and commercial issues promptly.
• Improve vendor performance and service levels.

Cross-functional Coordination

• Work closely with Marketing for promotional campaigns.
• Partner with Operations and Logistics for order fulfilment.
• Collaborate with Finance on budgeting and profitability analysis.

Team Management

• Lead and mentor Category Managers, Buyers, and Merchandisers.
• Set KPIs and monitor team performance.
• Drive employee development and succession planning.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Revenue Growth
• Gross Margin
• Category Profitability
• GMV
• Inventory TurnoverStock Availability
• Vendor Development
• New Product Launches
• Customer Satisfaction
• Conversion Rate
• Average Order Value (AOV)
• Sell-through Percentage

Required Skills

• Category Management
• Buying & Merchandising
• Vendor Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Commercial Negotiation
• Pricing Strategy
• Inventory Planning
• Business Analytics
• Advanced Excel and ERP Systems
• Leadership and Team Management
• Strong Communication & Presentation Skills

Qualification

• MBA (Marketing/Retail/Operations) preferred.
• Graduate in Business, Commerce, Marketing, or a related discipline.

Experience

• 20 years of experience in Category Management, Buying, Merchandising, or Retail.
• Minimum 45 years of experience leading a category or merchandising team.
• Experience in e-commerce, marketplace, retail, or FMCG is preferred
  

Reporting To :

CEO