Lead Regional Merchandising Strategy

GRIT Search Singapore Pte Ltd.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career growth opportunities

Dynamic work environment

Competitive compensation package

Job summary

A leading retail recruitment agency in Singapore is seeking a Director of Merchandising to oversee the merchandising strategy across Southeast Asia. This pivotal role involves leading high-performing teams, optimizing stock management, and driving business performance to maximize profitability. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in merchandising with proven leadership experience. This position offers an exciting opportunity to impact the future of retail merchandising in a globally recognized company.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in merchandising with a track record of strategic planning.
• Proven leadership experience in managing merchandising teams.
• Strong commercial sense and trading mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional merchandising strategy across Southeast Asia.
• Oversee financial targets and implement action plans.
• Drive pre-season planning and assortment planning strategies.

Skills

Influencing across teams

Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency

Commercial mindset

Fluent in English

Presentation and communication skills

Retail management understanding

Analytical and detail-oriented

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field

Job description

Director of Merchandising - South East Asia

Location

Date

4 Mar

Consumer - Retail

Work arrangement

On-site

• Lead Regional Merchandising Strategy
• Optimise Stock and Margin Management
• Develop High-Performing Teams

Our client is a globally recognised leader in the retail industry, renowned for its strong brand presence and a well-established, rapidly expanding consumer base. With operations spanning multiple markets, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional product offerings and driving growth through innovation, strategic planning, and consumer-centric initiatives.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to take on a key leadership role overseeing the Buying, Ranging, and Merchandising strategies for both Retail and Franchise channels across Southeast Asia. This role is instrumental in ensuring optimal product selection, aligning in-season activities with strategic objectives, and maximizing profitability through effective stock and margin management. The successful candidate will also spearhead key strategic initiatives, ensuring seamless execution across all SEA markets.

• Global Impact: Play a key role in shaping the merchandising strategy for a leading global retailer.
• Career Growth: Lead and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strategic Leadership: Drive business performance and influence key stakeholders across SEA markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the SEA Senior Director and regional merchandising teams to shape and drive the merchandising strategy across the region.
• Lead the execution of merchandising initiatives, ensuring consistency and efficiency in product assortment and sales performance.
• Oversee financial targets, including net sales, sell-through rates, and margin performance, while implementing action plans to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Drive pre-season planning, including Open-To-Buy (OTB) management, product forecasting, and option planning.
• Collaborate with regional partners to develop and execute assortment planning strategies tailored to retail and franchise stores.
• Continuously review and refine OTB and seasonal buy plans to align with commercial goals and brand vision.
• Enhance and streamline merchandising processes, leveraging best-in-class systems and tools to improve operational efficiency.
• Work closely with the Business Solution Team to implement world-class merchandising practices.
• Define and optimise merchandising methodologies, including option and space management.
• Develop insightful merchandising reports to support data-driven decision-making across SEA markets.
• Monitor in-season stock levels, providing proactive recommendations to drive commercial success.
• Identify and capitalise on new and existing business opportunities to maximise channel potential.
• Standardise markdown and promotional strategies to drive revenue, margin performance, and inventory turnover.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing merchandising team, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Strengthen cross-functional partnerships across SEA to enhance alignment and operational success.
• Champion talent management initiatives to attract, retain, and nurture top merchandising talent.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong ability to influence both directly and indirectly across various teams.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
• Commercially savvy with a strong trading mindset and entrepreneurial approach.
• Fluent in English; additional language skills are advantageous.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of retail management processes, systems, and analytics.
• Highly analytical, structured, and detail-oriented with a strategic outlook.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, sales, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be considered.
• At least 8 years of experience in merchandising, with a strong track record in strategic planning and execution.
• Proven leadership experience in managing merchandising teams and driving business performance.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of retail merchandising in Southeast Asia. If you have a passion for driving commercial success and are eager to make an impact within a globally recognised retail powerhouse, we invite you to apply and be part of our journey.