Kathmandu: General Manager Merchandise & Planning

Kathmandu Group; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 260,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Kathmandu Group in Christchurch, New Zealand, seeks an exceptional General Manager Merchandise & Planning to shape the merchandise strategy and drive performance across Retail, Digital and Distributor channels globally.

You will lead end-to-end merchandise, planning, buying and allocation, aligning customer demand with product strategy and financial outcomes in a multi-channel environment.

Qualifications

• Significant executive or senior leadership experience across Merchandise, Buying, Planning or Commercial functions.
• Proven ability to drive revenue growth, margin and inventory optimisation at scale.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen with cross-functional influence.
• Experience operating in multi-country or global markets within retail or lifestyle brands.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end merchandise strategy, planning, buying and allocation for global channels.
• Drive commercial performance across Retail, Digital and Distributor channels.
• Influence enterprise priorities and contribute to Executive Leadership Team decisions.
• Identify growth opportunities across categories, regions and channels.
• Build high-performing Buying, Planning and Allocation teams and foster succession.

Skills

Executive leadership

Merchandise planning

Forecasting analytics

Multi-channel retail

Strategic thinking

Vendor partnerships

Job description

Posted Tuesday 11 August 2026 at 12:00 pm

Shape the Future of One of Australasia's Most Iconic Outdoor Brands

Kathmandu is more than an outdoor brand. We're a global business driven by a belief that getting outdoors improves the wellbeing of people and planet.

Since our beginnings in Aotearoa New Zealand nearly 40 years ago, Kathmandu has grown into a leading global outdoor lifestyle brand trusted by adventurers across multiple markets. As a certified B Corp, we are committed to balancing commercial success with positive environmental and social impact.

As we continue to evolve and unlock the next phase of growth, we are seeking an exceptional executive to join our Executive Leadership Team as General Manager Merchandise & Planning.

Reporting to the CEO, this is one of the most influential commercial leadership roles in the business, responsible for shaping merchandise strategy, driving commercial performance, and ensuring our product offer continues to resonate with customers across Retail, Digital and Distributor channels globally.

This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership, commercial influence and customer obsession at scale while helping define Kathmandu's future.

The Opportunity

As General Manager Merchandise & Planning, you will lead the end-to-end merchandise, planning, buying and allocation functions, creating the strategic link between customer demand, product strategy and commercial performance.

You will be accountable for maximising revenue growth, margin performance, inventory productivity and market relevance while ensuring Kathmandu continues to deliver compelling product experiences that strengthen customer loyalty and brand preference.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will contribute beyond your function. You will help shape enterprise strategy, influence key investment decisions, and partner with fellow executives to deliver sustainable growth across the business.

Success in this role requires balancing customer, product, inventory and financial outcomes while navigating the complexity of a global, multi-channel retail environment.

What You'll Lead

• Shape and execute Kathmandu's global merchandise strategy in support of long-term growth objectives.
• Drive commercial performance across Retail, Digital and Distributor channels globally
• Influence enterprise priorities and contribute to Executive Leadership Team decision-making.
• Identify growth opportunities across categories, regions and channels.

Merchandise & Inventory Strategy

• Lead seasonal and long-range assortment planning aligned to customer, category and brand strategies.
• Optimise inventory investment, stock productivity and capital efficiency.
• Drive forecasting accuracy and inventory performance through disciplined planning and analytics.
• Ensure commercial decisions balance revenue growth, profitability and customer experience.

Trading & Business Performance

• Lead in-season trade management to maximise sales, margin and inventory outcomes.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team and Board.
• Leverage consumer, market and business intelligence to anticipate trends and strengthen competitive advantage.
• Drive performance improvement through data-led decision making and commercial rigor.

Leadership & Capability

• Lead and develop high-performing Buying, Planning and Allocation teams.
• Build capability, succession strength and leadership depth across the function.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Champion customer-centric thinking across all planning and merchandising decisions.

Strategic Partnerships

• Partner closely with Product, Finance, Retail, Supply Chain, Digital teams to ensure alignment from strategy through execution.
• Lead strategic vendor and brand partner relationships that enhance category performance and customer choice.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships that support enterprise-wide success.

What You'll Bring

You are an experienced executive with a proven ability to lead complex commercial portfolios, influence enterprise outcomes and deliver sustainable growth.

You combine strategic thinking with commercial execution and are equally comfortable discussing long-term growth opportunities, customer trends, inventory productivity and financial performance.

To be successful, you'll bring:

• Significant executive or senior leadership experience across Merchandise, Buying, Planning or Commercial functions.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale merchandise and planning operations within retail or consumer-led organisations.
• Proven track record delivering revenue growth, profit improvement and inventory optimisation.
• Expertise operating in a multi-channel environment spanning Retail, Digital and Distributor channels.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with a deep understanding of margin, inventory, forecasting and investment decisions.
• Exceptional leadership capability, with experience building high-performing teams and future leaders.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to influence senior stakeholders, boards and leadership teams.
• High levels of curiosity, resilience and adaptability in dynamic market environments.
• Experience within apparel, outdoor, lifestyle, sporting goods or specialty retail sectors will be highly regarded.
• Exposure to global markets and multi-country operations.

Why Kathmandu...

This is more than a merchandising leadership role.

It is an opportunity to influence the future direction of a globally recognised brand with a clear purpose and strong heritage. You will join a passionate Executive Leadership Team, help shape strategic decisions, and play a critical role in balancing commercial growth with our commitment to people and planet.

At Kathmandu, you'll find a business with ambition, authenticity and a genuine desire to create positive impact through the outdoors.

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at KMD Brands

At KMD Brands, we believe that diversity makes us stronger. We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our people — across age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and physical and mental ability. We know that when our team reflects the communities we serve, we create better outcomes for everyone. We proudly acknowledge and pay respect to Tangata Whenua, the Indigenous Nations, First Peoples, and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which our brand head offices reside in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the United States. Their enduring connection to land, waters, and culture continues to inspire and guide us.