Head of Merchandising

Overview

UNITE is collaborating with a renowned international luxury brand to recruit a seasoned Head of Merchandising to spearhead the global merchandising strategy and enhance commercial success across primary product categories. This role demands a commercially astute and strategic leader experienced in luxury fashion, accessories, or lifestyle sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement the worldwide merchandising strategy aligned with both the brand's commercial goals and its creative direction.
• Develop seasonal assortment plans that maximize product effectiveness while preserving brand identity.
• Evaluate market trends, customer behaviors, and competitors to detect new growth possibilities.
• Optimize category results via assortment planning, pricing, product structuring, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate intimately with Design, Product Development, Buying, Planning, and regional commercial teams to ensure collection success.
• Establish assortment protocols that maintain global brand consistency across regions and sales channels.
• Conduct regular product evaluations each season and suggest measures to boost sales and profits.
• Track sales velocity, inventory status, and product outcomes to refine assortment choices.
• Align regional product distributions with local consumer demand without compromising brand standards.
• Oversee merchandising KPIs, sales outcomes, margin improvement, and inventory efficiency.
• Generate data-supported recommendations aimed at enhancing product and financial performance.
• Deliver seasonal sales insights and performance updates to executive leadership.
• Assist in sales forecasting and demand planning in conjunction with Finance and Supply Chain departments.
• Coordinate with Creative, Marketing, Retail, Wholesale, and eCommerce divisions to ensure effective product launches and storytelling.
• Engage with regional teams to identify and address market-centric opportunities and challenges.
• Lead and nurture an accomplished merchandising team fostering a collaborative and customer-focused environment.
• Drive ongoing advancements in merchandising processes and decision-making quality.
• Manage budgeting and resource distribution effectively, supporting annual business plans and seasonal forecasts.
• Contribute to strategic commercial growth and long-term planning initiatives.
• Undertake international travel as needed for market visits, collection unveilings, buying engagements, and leadership discussions with some trips to regional offices and retail outlets.

Candidate Profile

• At least 10 years of merchandising experience within luxury fashion, accessories, or premium lifestyle brands.
• Proven leadership history managing merchandising teams across various markets.
• Strong business sense with demonstrated ability to boost sales, profitability, and assortment outcomes.
• In-depth knowledge of the luxury retail sector including consumer trends and worldwide market forces.
• Advanced proficiency with merchandising and business intelligence software and analytical methodologies.
• Excellent abilities in communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Capacity to influence senior stakeholders and partner across diverse business units.
• Experience in an international or global luxury company is advantageous.
• Adaptability to fast-moving, dynamic environments with the ability to juggle multiple projects.

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Business Administration, Fashion Management, Marketing, or similar disciplines. A Master’s degree or MBA is favorable.

Languages

Fluency in English at a professional level is mandatory. Additional languages, such as French or Italian, are considered beneficial.

Compensation and Benefits

This role offers a competitive executive-level salary complemented by a performance-based bonus scheme. The package includes extensive benefits associated with a luxury brand and promising long-term career advancement opportunities. Salary will be tailored to the candidate’s experience and qualifications.