Senior Product Control / Merchandising Manager

SmartHire by SEEK; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a Senior Product Control / Merchandising Manager to lead product control strategy, financial performance, and team management in a fast-paced fashion retail environment.

This senior role requires strong business acumen, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to present insights to senior leadership across regional management in Hong Kong. You will drive profitability and keep the brand competitive across Malaysia and the region.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of extensive merchandising experience in product control or related retail roles.
• Strong financial reporting knowledge: margins, sales, stock ageing, promotions.
• Ability to lead teams and present complex financial insights to senior leadership.
• Proficiency in English; Mandarin is essential for coordination with Hong Kong leadership; Cantonese is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own product control and merchandising strategy, driving buying, OTB, and KPIs.
• Monitor and report on margin, sales, stock ageing, and promotions; translate data into decisions.
• Prepare and present financial insights to senior and regional management.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the merchandising team under pressure.
• Build relationships with brand principals and cross-regional stakeholders.
• Track market trends and brand positioning to keep the product range competitive.
• Oversee OTB planning and budgeting aligned with targets.

Skills

Merchandising

Financial analysis

Leadership

English proficiency

Mandarin proficiency

Cantonese advantage

Retail software know-how

Tools

Retail management software

Job description

Our client is seeking a Senior Product Control / Merchandising Manager to join their team!

This is a senior-level opportunity for an experienced merchandising professional ready to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced fashion retail environment. You will take the lead on product control strategy, financial performance, and team management while working closely with both local and regional upper management. If you thrive on data-driven decision-making, have a strong commercial mindset, and are confident presenting financial insights to senior leadership, this role offers the platform and scope to do exactly that - right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established apparel company with a regional presence, operating across Malaysia and Hong Kong. They are a dynamic organisation within the fashion retail space, known for their commercial focus and collaborative team culture. This is an exciting time to join as they continue to grow and strengthen their merchandising and product control capabilities across the region.

What you'll be doing?

• Product Control & Merchandising Strategy - Take full ownership of product control and merchandising functions, driving strategies that optimise buying, OTB (Open-to-Buy), and key merchandising KPIs across the business.
• Financial Performance Management - Monitor and report on financial metrics including margin, sales performance, stock ageing, and promotion effectiveness, translating data into actionable business decisions.
• Senior Leadership Presentations - Prepare and present financial insights and merchandising performance reports to senior leadership, including regional management in Hong Kong, with clarity and confidence.
• Team Leadership & Development - Lead, guide, and support the merchandising team, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment while managing priorities under pressure.
• Stakeholder & Principal Relationship Management - Build and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including brand principals and cross-regional management teams.
• Market Trend & Brand Awareness - Monitor market trends, fashion movements, and brand positioning to ensure the product range remains commercially relevant and competitive.
• OTB & Budget Management - Oversee open-to-buy planning and budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with business targets and financial objectives.

Who are they looking for?

• Extensive Merchandising Experience - A minimum of 5 years of experience in product control, merchandising, or a closely related retail role is expected, with demonstrated expertise in buying, OTB, and merchandising KPIs.
• Financial & Analytical Acumen - Strong knowledge of financial reporting - covering margin analysis, sales performance, stock ageing, and promotion results - combined with the ability to make confident, data-driven decisions is essential for this role.
• Leadership & Strategic Decision-Making - Proven experience in managing teams and making sound strategic decisions under pressure, including the ability to present complex financial insights clearly to senior leadership, will set strong candidates apart.
• Language Proficiency - Proficiency in English is required for professional communication across the business; proficiency in Mandarin (spoken and/or written) is essential, as the role involves regular coordination with upper management based in Hong Kong; Cantonese proficiency would be a distinct advantage for direct communication with the Hong Kong leadership team.
• Fashion & Retail Software Knowledge - A good sense of fashion and apparel market trends, combined with proficiency in retail management software and tools, will be well regarded.
• Brand & Marketing Coordination Experience - Prior experience in brand management, marketing coordination, and OTB/budgeting within a fashion or lifestyle retail environment will be a strong differentiator.