Head of Merchandising - Retail Fashion

Michael Page; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-established fashion retail brand in Malaysia seeks a Head of Merchandising to lead the team in buying, inventory management, and product strategy. The successful candidate will possess extensive experience in merchandising, a strong understanding of fashion trends, and the ability to present insights to senior management confidently.

Benefits

Work in a brand with premium positioning

Collaborate with fashion-forward professionals

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in fashion merchandising.
• Fluent in Chinese dialects, preferably Cantonese.
• Strong understanding of apparel trends and inventory metrics.

Responsibilities

• Lead team of merchandisers in seasonal buying and stock allocation.
• Analyze sales trends and manage inventory control.
• Develop pricing and promotions strategies based on product lifecycle.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team leadership

Numerical skills

Commercial acumen

Job description

• International buying experience while shaping collections tailored to MY
• Lead end-to-end merchandising decisions, from buying to inventory planning

About Our Client

A well-established fashion retail brand in Malaysia with international roots, renowned for its sophisticated and versatile collections. The brand offers elevated smart wear that blends seamlessly from work to weekend. As the Head of Merchandising, you will lead the merchandising direction across buying, inventory management, and product strategy. Your fashion instincts, analytical acumen, and leadership will shape the brand's seasonal offerings and ensure commercial success.

Job Description

• Lead and manage a team of merchandisers across seasonal buying, product planning, and stock allocation
• Conduct overseas buying trips and select fabrics, styles, and designs aligned to the brand's premium lifestyle positioning and the Malaysian market
• Analyze sales trends, customer behavior, and market movements to create balanced and performance-driven assortments
• Manage inventory control, stock flow, and allocation processes to ensure product availability and minimize overstock
• Monitor sales and margin performance; prepare analytical reports and dashboards for senior management
• Develop pricing, promotions, and markdown strategies based on sales engine planning and product lifecycle
• Present seasonal range plans and business reviews confidently to top leadership
• Apply strong merchandising matrix and financial models to guide decision-making
• Ensure smooth coordination with cross-functional teams and external suppliers
• Oversee staff training and SOPs in alignment with merchandising best practices

The Successful Applicant

• Minimum 10 years of experience in fashion merchandising, with seasonal buying and team leadership exposure
• Strong understanding of apparel trends, fabrics, fit, and sourcing
• Excellent numerical skills with strong grasp of sales, margin, pricing, and inventory metrics
• Ability to present insights, direction, and range plans to top management with confidence
• Fluent in Chinese dialects (Cantonese preferred), given the supplier and team communication requirements
• Willingness to travel internationally for sourcing and vendor meetings
• Strong commercial acumen, organized, and agile in a fast-paced retail environment

What's on Offer

• Be the strategic driver behind a well-loved international fashion brand
• Influence seasonal trends and product offerings from concept to shelf
• Work in a brand with premium positioning and clear vision for growth
• Collaborate with passionate, fashion-forward professionals