Head of Merchandising - SEA & Australia

Key Responsibilities: Merchandising • Define and execute regional merchandising strategies aligned with business objectives and global brand direction. • Lead seasonal buying activities and establish category-level investment strategies to maximize sales, margin, and inventory productivity. • Develop regional assortment plans based on market needs, customer insights, sales trends, and competitive landscape. • Provide strategic recommendations on assortment opportunities, regional requirements, and business performance. • Drive commercial decisions throughout the season to optimize business opportunities and mitigate risks. • Monitor key business indicators including sales, sell-through, average selling price, stock cover, markdown rates, and inventory turnover. Inventory Management & Supply Optimization • Ensure optimal stock allocation and replenishment strategies. • Develop proactive strategies to manage slow-moving inventory. • Oversee stock transfers, replenishment priorities, and allocation decisions to maximize productivity and customer experience. • Lead markdown and promotional recommendations while protecting brand equity and profitability. • Partner with other teams to optimize stock flow, inventory investments, and product availability. Market Analysis & Consumer Insights • Analyze consumer buying behavior, market trends, and competitive activities to identify growth opportunities. • Provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve assortment productivity and customer engagement. • Monitor market performance and evolving luxury retail trends to influence future merchandising strategies. Leadership & Team Management • Lead, coach, and develop the Merchandising team • Provide guidance and support to ensure consistent merchandising excellence across markets. Cross-Functional Collaboration • Partner closely with other departments to ensure alignment on business objectives. • Work with Retail & VM to support product launches, commercial initiatives, and storytelling strategies. • Collaborate with CRM teams to leverage customer insights and improve merchandising decisions. Retail Excellence & Product Training • Lead communications on seasonal product strategies, assortment priorities, and commercial objectives. • Support retail teams through regular store visits to gather market feedback and identify opportunities. • Ensure store teams have strong product knowledge and commercial understanding to maximize conversion and client experience. • Oversee development of merchandising tools, product guides, and seasonal training materials. Key Attributes • Strong commercial and strategic mindset. • Excellent analytical and financial acumen. • Deep understanding of luxury retail and fashion industry dynamics. Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor's Degree or above. • Minimum 6 years of merchandising and buying experience, preferably within luxury retail or premium fashion. • Strong understanding of luxury customer behavior and regional market dynamics.