Merchandising Manager

Key Responsibilities Pre-Season Planning & Assortment Strategy Lead and manage the end-to-end Bata pre-season merchandising planning process for assigned categories, including the use of relevant templates, analytics, reports, and supporting documentation. Analyse and document learnings from previous seasons at article/SKU level and present key findings and recommendations to the Chief Merchandising Manager and relevant buying teams. Develop and establish seasonal assortment strategies, including the recommended number of lines/SKUs and quantities by category, classification, price point, and product segment. Work closely with the Buying team to develop and finalize an effective seasonal footwear assortment that meets consumer needs while supporting the company's sales and profitability objectives. Demand Planning & Forecasting Prepare baseline sales forecasts by analysing historical sales performance, previous assumptions, demand drivers, market conditions, promotional activities, and other relevant factors. Apply appropriate statistical tools and demand planning techniques to improve forecast accuracy and support effective purchasing decisions. Monitor category performance and make data-driven recommendations to optimize assortment, inventory, and sales performance. Budget & Purchase Management Ensure all purchases are aligned with approved Open-to-Buy (OTB) budgets and category price structures. Ensure the total number of lines/SKUs within each category remains within approved limits. Ensure all orders are placed only after the required product samples have been reviewed and approved by the authorized personnel before being forwarded to suppliers. Monitor purchasing activities to ensure compliance with approved commercial and merchandising strategies. Merchandising & Stock Management Review merchandising reports, SIR and other relevant performance reports to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities, and take the necessary merchandising actions. Achieve the assigned annual stock rotation targets in accordance with the approved yearly budget. Implement best practices in stock management to optimize inventory productivity and minimize excess and aging stock. Monitor and maintain an up-to-date delivery schedule and take immediate corrective action to address delayed or late deliveries. Implement appropriate actions to ensure aging stock remains within the company's acceptable norms. Continuously monitor category performance and recommend corrective actions to improve sales, margin, stock turn, and overall profitability. Key Competencies 1. Operating Discipline Takes full ownership and accountability for assigned responsibilities. Consistently delivers work according to departmental priorities and deadlines. Demonstrates strong attention to detail and ensures accuracy and quality in all work. 2. Collaboration Works effectively with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. Shares knowledge, information, and expertise to promote teamwork and collaboration. Builds positive working relationships and encourages team engagement. 3. Social Skills & Influence Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and the ability to influence stakeholders positively. Treats others with respect and professionalism. Builds effective relationships with stakeholders across different levels and functions, both internally and externally. 4. Inspirational Leadership Demonstrates passion and enthusiasm while inspiring others to achieve business objectives. Provides constructive feedback and addresses performance or operational issues when necessary. Shares knowledge and experience to support the development of colleagues and team members. 5. Team Development Establishes clear priorities aligned with business goals and merchandising strategies. Encourages ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement. Provides regular and constructive feedback to support individual and team development. Key Stakeholders Internal Stakeholders Country Manager Chief Merchandising Manager Buying Team Retail Operations Team Finance Team Supply Chain / Logistics Team Store Management and Employees External Stakeholders Suppliers Customers Government / Relevant Authorities Other External Business Partners Requirements & Skills Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team. Strong commercial and analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable merchandising decisions. Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. Proficient in data analysis and synthesizing information from multiple sources. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Good understanding of merchandising, assortment planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, and retail operations. Strong attention to detail with a proactive and resourceful approach to work. Ability to work in a fast-paced retail environment and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Job details • Salary: RM 7,000 a month • Contract: Permanent • Working hours: Normal Hour • Openings: 1 • Closes: 2026-11-07 About Bata Malaysia Sdn Bhd (More than 250 employees) We wish to ensure every single employee will be treated with the same rights and to improve their skills and performance. Bata is operating it's retail segments mainly in the First Tier Town in Malaysia serving from low to medium income range of customers. Footwear is our expertise. Bata have been in Malaysia for more than 20 Years and has served Malaysia since then. We wish to grow our business and supporting the economic growth of Malaysia. Together we will build the nation.