Senior Beauty & Fragrance Merchandiser

Tower Group South Africa (PTY) Ltd; Durban; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail organization in Durban is seeking a Senior Beauty & Fragrance Merchandiser to drive the commercial performance of the beauty and fragrance category. This role involves developing category strategies, ensuring effective stock management, and leading merchandising execution. The ideal candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in beauty and fragrance merchandising, demonstrating strong analytical and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in beauty and fragrance merchandising (retail or distribution environment preferred).
• Proven track record of managing multiple brands, product lines, and vendor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies to maximize sales, profit, and market share.
• Lead visual merchandising guidelines and standards for the Beauty & Fragrance category.
• Monitor stock levels, sell-through rates, and replenishment cycles.
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers and brand partners.
• Support and mentor junior merchandisers or assistants within the category team.

Skills

Analytical expertise

Inventory management

Brand negotiation

Merchandising execution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Retail Management, Business, Marketing, or related field

Job description

Role Overview

The Senior Beauty & Fragrance Merchandiser is responsible for driving the commercial performance of the beauty and fragrance category through strategic range planning, effective stock management, and impactful merchandising execution. This role combines analytical expertise with a deep understanding of market trends, brand positioning, and consumer behaviour within the beauty industry.

Category & Range Management

• Develop and implement category strategies to maximize sales, profit, and market share.
• Manage product lifecycle from launch to discontinuation, ensuring optimal stock levels and sell-through.
• Collaborate with the buying team to plan and curate seasonal and promotional ranges aligned with brand and customer expectations.
• Analyse product performance, sales trends, and market data to inform range decisions and forecasting.

Merchandising Execution

• Lead visual merchandising guidelines and standards for the Beauty & Fragrance category across stores and online platforms.
• Work closely with marketing and retail operations to ensure effective product presentation and campaign execution.
• Ensure planograms and displays reflect current trends, promotions, and brand identities.

Stock & Supply Chain Management

• Monitor stock levels, sell-through rates, and replenishment cycles to minimize markdowns and stockouts.
• Liaise with supply chain and warehouse teams to ensure timely deliveries and efficient inventory flow.
• Conduct regular stock and sales analyses to identify risks and opportunities.

Brand & Vendor Relationships

• Build strong relationships with key suppliers and brand partners to negotiate optimal terms, margins, and promotional support.
• Collaborate on new product launches and in-store activation strategies.
• Ensure brand compliance and consistent representation across all channels.

Team Leadership & Development

• Support and mentor junior merchandisers or assistants within the category team.
• Contribute to cross-functional collaboration with buying, marketing, and operations teams.
• Champion innovation and continuous improvement within the merchandising process.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Retail Management, Business, Marketing, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in beauty and fragrance merchandising (retail or distribution environment preferred).
• Proven track record of managing multiple brands, product lines, and vendor relationships.