Head of Merchandising

Role Purpose.

To lead the end-to-end merchandising function, driving assortment planning, sourcing, pricing, and visual presentation to align with the brand's identity and business goals. The role focuses on delivering optimal product mix, managing inventory health, and enhancing customer experience across all showrooms.

The candidate must have strong market insight, supplier management expertise, and the ability to balance creativity with commercial performance. The Head of Merchandising will also develop and mentor the merchandising team, collaborate with marketing and sales, and ensure effective product training for staff.

Key Responsibilities

Merchandising Strategy & Planning;

• Develop and implement the overall merchandising strategy to align with the company's brand positioning and business objectives.
• Lead assortment planning, product mix selection, and seasonal buying to meet customer preferences and market trends.
• Source high-quality, competitively priced products from international suppliers.
• Forecast demand and manage inventory levels to ensure optimal stock availability and minimize overstock/stockouts.
• Establish pricing structures and promotional strategies to maximize profitability while maintaining market competitiveness.

Product Presentation & Customer Experience

• Oversee store and showroom layouts, ensuring visual merchandising reflects brand identity and enhances customer engagement.
• Work closely with the marketing team to plan and execute product launches, promotions, and seasonal campaigns.
• Ensure product labeling, packaging, and presentation meet quality and brand standards.
• Regularly review and refresh product displays to maintain relevance and appeal.

Market & Trend Analysis

• Conduct ongoing market research to track competitor activities, consumer behavior, and design trends.
• Analyze sales data and customer feedback to refine product offerings and improve assortment performance.
• Recommend new product categories and innovations to keep the brand ahead of industry trends.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the merchandising team to deliver high performance.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and accountability.
• Provide training to sales teams on product knowledge and key selling points.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Design, or a related field (Master's degree or professional certification is an advantage).
• Minimum 7 years of experience in merchandising or buying, preferably in furniture, home décor, or FCMG.
• Strong knowledge of local and international supplier markets.
• Proven ability to identify and predict design trends.
• Excellent negotiation, planning, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in interpreting sales and market data.
• Leadership skills with the ability to inspire creativity and commercial focus in teams.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
• Creativity and a keen eye for design aesthetics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Customer-oriented mindset with a passion for home and lifestyle retail.

Performance Indicators

• Ensure optimal product assortment and display that maximizes sales and aligns with customer preferences.
• Maintain healthy stock turnover by balancing inventory levels to avoid overstocking or stockouts.
• Negotiate favourable supplier terms to improve cost efficiency and gross margins.
• Increase sales contribution from high-demand and new product categories through effective merchandising strategies.
• Monitor sell-through rates and reduce slow-moving or obsolete stock.
• Drive timely execution of promotions, seasonal collections, and store displays to boost traffic and sales.
• Strengthen supplier partnerships and sourcing strategies to secure quality, competitive, and sustainable products.
• Contribute to revenue growth by aligning merchandising plans with overall sales and marketing strategies.