MERCHANDISING MANAGER

myNEWS HOLDINGS BERHAD; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

myNEWS Holding Berhad is seeking a Merchandise Manager in Malaysia to drive category strategy, pricing, supplier partnerships, and stock management across multiple stores. You will lead category planning, planning, and execution for optimal product mix, pricing, and promotions, while ensuring strong data analysis and stakeholder collaboration.

The role requires hands-on leadership, independent drive, and the ability to travel as needed to support a fast-paced retail network.

Qualifications

• Retail buying experience in relevant product categories.
• Strong negotiation skills with proven ability to secure favourable trading terms and promotional support.
• Solid understanding of P&L management and commercial performance.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of assigned categories and shelves to optimise assortment and availability.
• Identify hero products and NPD ideas to maintain competitiveness.
• Review slow-moving SKUs and implement clearance strategies to reduce inventory risk.
• Maintain SKU density to meet customer demand while keeping healthy inventory levels.
• Review category performance and market trends to improve sales.
• Conduct market price checks and establish price points (RRP) to balance margins.
• Manage supplier relationships to secure better terms and promotions.
• Maintain Product Master List accuracy and commercial documentation.
• Perform weekly and monthly sales reviews to identify improvements.
• Collaborate with Operations and Supply Chain to avoid stock-outs and allocate to outlets.
• Plan and execute promotions and in-store checks to ensure proper execution.
• Support store openings and revamps with assortment and space planning.
• Visit stores to monitor selling floor, backroom, and merchandising execution.

Skills

Retail buying

Negotiation

P&L management

Analytical skills

Excel & reporting

Problem-solving

Communication & stakeholder mgmt

Leadership

Proactive & commercially driven

Fast-paced environment

Team player

Own transportation & travel

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Management

• Take ownership of assigned categories and shelves by ensuring optimal product assortment and availability.
• Identify missing “hero” products and introduce suitable new products/NPD (New Product Development) to maintain competitiveness.
• Review slow-moving SKUs and implement clearance strategies to reduce product damage and inventory risk.
• Maintain the appropriate number of SKUs/listings to fulfil customer demand while ensuring healthy inventory levels.
• Continuously review category performance, product mix, and market trends to improve sales performance.

2. Pricing Strategy & Market Benchmarking

• Conduct regular market price checks to ensure competitiveness while protecting company margins.
• Establish and review RRP (Recommended Retail Price) for products based on market conditions.
• Analyse competitor pricing, promotional strategies, retail trends, and customer behaviour.
• Review product positioning and pricing strategies to maximise sales opportunities.

3. Supplier Management & Negotiation

• Manage relationships with suppliers, distributors, and vendors to ensure strong commercial partnerships.
• Negotiate for improved COGS, trading terms, promotional support, and business opportunities.
• Resolve supplier-related operational issues that may impact business performance.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure alignment with business objectives.

4. Product Master Data & Commercial Documentation

• Maintain Product Master List accuracy, ensuring SKU details, barcodes, costs, and product information are updated.
• Ensure proper documentation and maintenance of:
  • Supplier agreements
  • Rebate tracking
  • Commercial records
  • Product-related documentation

5. Sales Analysis & Reporting

• Conduct weekly and monthly sales performance reviews and identify improvement opportunities.
• Analyse sales performance, category trends, and store best practices.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and develop corrective action plans when required.
• Provide sales countermeasures and recommendations to improve category performance.

6. Stock Availability & Inventory Management

• Work closely with Operations to ensure zero stock-outs for fast-moving products.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain teams to ensure sufficient stock availability at Distribution Centres and accurate allocation to outlets.
• Monitor supplier/vendor Purchase Orders (PO) and direct store fulfilment.
• Track purchase sell-through performance to minimise lost sales opportunities and customer dissatisfaction.

7. Promotion Planning & Execution

• Plan and execute monthly, weekly, and seasonal promotional campaigns, including government-related initiatives where applicable.
• Coordinate promotional activities with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Conduct in-store checks to ensure proper execution of promotional displays and activities.

8. Store Operations Support

• Provide day-to-day operational support to resolve category-related issues.
• Work closely with store teams to improve execution, sales performance, and operational efficiency.

9. New Store Opening & Store Revamp Support

• Support new store openings and refurbishment projects through:
  • Assortment planning
  • Category setup
  • Equipment planning
  • Promotion planning
  • Display planning

10. Store Visits & Merchandising Execution

• Conduct regular store visits to evaluate:
  • Selling floor conditions
  • Backroom conditions
  • Product availability
  • Merchandising execution
• Identify operational challenges and customer demand insights.
• Ensure compliance with merchandising standards and category guidelines.

11. Planogram & Space Planning Collaboration

• Collaborate with Planogram and Space Planning teams to optimise product mix based on sales performance and customer demand.
• Develop and maintain planograms according to different store formats and category requirements.
• Allocate shelf space effectively to maximise sales per square foot.
• Review slow-moving products and recommend actions such as promotions, repositioning, or delisting.

12. Fresh Category Quality & Food Safety Management

• Ensure fresh categories maintain high standards in:
  • Product freshness
  • Cleanliness
  • Quality control
  • Food safety compliance
• Monitor handling procedures for temperature-sensitive and perishable products.

13. Special Projects & Business Improvement Initiatives

• Support special projects aimed at improving category performance, sales growth, customer experience, and business activation.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement initiatives to enhance overall department performance.

Requirements

• Retail buying experience within relevant product categories.
• Strong negotiation skills with proven experience in securing favourable trading terms, supplier income, and promotional support.
• Solid understanding of Profit & Loss (P&L) management and commercial performance.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and retail performance reports.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and retail reporting analysis.
• Proven problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to drive business results.
• Independent, proactive, commercially driven, and willing to go the extra mile to support company growth.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and results-oriented retail environment.
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Possess own transportation and be willing to travel when required.

Unlock job insights

Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

Supermarkets, Grocery & Petrol Retailing 1,001-5,000 employees

myNEWS Holding Berhad currently has over 400 retail stores in Malaysia. We are the market leader in press and convenience retailing, specializing in convenience items such as tobacco, reload services, beverages, snacks, confectioneries and printed media. Our outlets are located at easily accessible locations in popular shopping malls, hypermarkets, hospitals, office complexes, hotels and transportation hubs.

Since its inception in 1997, we continuously strive to offer quality products and services. We constantly evolve our stores and offerings for an easy and efficient shopping experience. We operate under brands such as myNEWS.com, newsplus, MAGBIT, THE FRONT PAGE, as well as WHSmith, which is operated under our equal joint venture with WHSmith Travel, one of UK’s leading retailers. What’s more, we are also involved in the operation of WHSmith news and book retailing stores in airports throughout Malaysia, and run a food and beverage outlet named Bison Café. In addition, we have food processing centre which producing fresh food products and selling in our outlets.

In view of our rapid growth and aggressive expansion plans, we are looking for energetic, enthusiastic and service oriented individuals to join us.

myNEWS Holding Berhad currently has over 400 retail stores in Malaysia. We are the market leader in press and convenience retailing, specializing in convenience items such as tobacco, reload services, beverages, snacks, confectioneries and printed media. Our outlets are located at easily accessible locations in popular shopping malls, hypermarkets, hospitals, office complexes, hotels and transportation hubs.

Since its inception in 1997, we continuously strive to offer quality products and services. We constantly evolve our stores and offerings for an easy and efficient shopping experience. We operate under brands such as myNEWS.com, newsplus, MAGBIT, THE FRONT PAGE, as well as WHSmith, which is operated under our equal joint venture with WHSmith Travel, one of UK’s leading retailers. What’s more, we are also involved in the operation of WHSmith news and book retailing stores in airports throughout Malaysia, and run a food and beverage outlet named Bison Café. In addition, we have food processing centre which producing fresh food products and selling in our outlets.

What can I earn as a Merchandise Manager