Job Purpose:
The Assistant Merchandising Manager is a key contributor to the Fashion & WFJ Division, co-owning merchandising strategies, driving category performance, and operating with increasing autonomy. The role requires strategic thinking, proactive leadership, and the ability to influence cross-functional partners to deliver business objectives.
The role of Assistant Merchandising Manager provides product-related analytical support to the Division by developing merchandising plan, examining Product performance, Sales trends, and Inventory levels to deliver local business objectives. He/she will also assist the Senior Merchandising Manager in strengthening partnerships with Business team.
Key Responsibilities:
Merchandising & Buying:
Fashion
- Participate in Fashion buy 6 times/year, support Senior Merchandising Manager with the assortment selection during the buying process, administer the purchase order operation as well as assist in conducting pre and post buy with boutique team
- Demonstrate assortment planning skills to ensure new and current products are cohesively represented in Boutique and recommend stock for consolidation as well as transfer opportunities both locally and regionally
- Balance commercial/ short term product opportunities with image-led/ long term product strategies
- Coordinate the OTB planning process by managing the accurate input and checking of date
- Analyze the quality of each buy in real time and provide insights of the overall performance
- Support the Reoffer business (REV/00V) through Sales and inventory analysis and order recommendation
Watches & Fine Jewelry
- Support a long-term WFJ strategy (product focus, assortment, in-store visibility)
- Develop a 360° orchestration of WFJ launches, training, and events
- Manage WFJ business: forecasting, stock efficiency, novelties, and client strategy
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Regional Core and High-End teams
- Drive High Jewelry awareness, client experience, and pipeline development
Inventory Management:
- Lead the Product Executive in managing stock and inventory for all Fashion, Watches and Fine Jewelry products to achieve stock coverage objectives
- Proactively communicate the delivery status of each collection with relevant stakeholders, as well as managing the coordination of a timely launch in accordance with local priorities (events, campaigns, etc.)
Product Analysis:
- Provide in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of Product performance across all categories
- Manage the development of Business & Merchandising Reports (e.g. Sell-thru, inventory, pre & post buy, OTB, monthly division product report) to provide regular insights and business advice to the Local & Regional team where applicable
- Build an ongoing collection of business insights to strengthen the database and support future analysis
- Align with CRM prior to each buying season to co-create recruitment and retention strategies per product category
- Integrate client insights into the buy to support qualitative recruitment and loyalty objectives
Business Partnership:
- Actively and passionately participate in internal Business meetings and maintain in close partnership with Division key stakeholders and Retail team
- Collaborate closely with VM, Training, Marketing, Communications/ PR, CRM for 360 orchestrations related to each collection launch, key product campaign and take lead in product sharing session
- Actively partner with VM and Boutique to ensure collection must-have are readily displayed and equally drive efficiencies on slow moving products
- Spend at least 20% of time in regular boutique visits to explore opportunities, review assortments, visual display, and other merchandising issues
- Coordinate / support with on-demand projects from local and regional team
Markdown:
- Oversee the timely preparation of Markdown inventory in accordance with Global guidelines
- Coordinate with key stakeholders on Markdown calendar and effectively manage the Markdown calendar
Aftersales & Product Quality
- Co-lead after sales service with boutique team/ After Sales coordinators
- Liaises Global and Regional After sales team on overseas repairs and ensure efficient lead-time
Collection / Product training
- Transmit the creative vision to the Retail team and build up their knowledge, passion and confidence.
- Adapt training content to the local needs, deliver collection and product-related training to the whole Retail population.
- Ensure ad-hoc training if necessary to support Retail team and business objectives.
Job Requirements:
Academic / Professional Qualifications
- Business Degree or similar
- Advanced Microsoft Office suite, particularly in Excel (Vlookup, Sumif, Pivot Table) and Power BI
Work Experience
- At least 5 - 8 years of work experience in Product or Merchandising, of which the last 3 is in a managerial position
- Fashion/Retail/Luxury background is a strong advantage
Required Competencies
- Category ownership mindset: treats assigned categories as their own business
- Leadership & influence: ability to lead discussions and inspire teams
- Anticipation & planning: forward-thinking and organized
- Resilience & adaptability thrives under pressure and manages multiple priorities
- Business acumen: connects data to strategy and action
- Proactivity: Anticipate business needs, risks, and opportunities independently
Key Interactions:
- Fashion Partners: Marketing, CRM, Retail, Communications/ PR, VM, Learning and Development
- Corporate Partners: Finance, IT, and HR
- Business Division Partners: Fashions, WFJ
- Regional and Global Partners: Product/ Merchandise teams, Supply Chain, TDS (PEPS, BI)
