JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Merchandising Manager will lead the end to end merchandising strategy for a regional luxury kids fashion retail business across Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. This role is responsible for assortment architecture, buying, range planning, pricing, in season trading and inventory optimization to deliver sales, margin and brand objectives in line with the company's luxury lifestyle positioning.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Merchandising Strategy & Assortment
- Develop and own the 3 year merchandising strategy for kids fashion across Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, aligned with brand positioning, growth targets and customer segments (baby, kids, junior, teen).
- Build seasonal assortment architecture by country, channel and store cluster (flagship, boutique, outlet, online) to balance core icons, novelty, capsules and collaborations.
- Lead seasonal range planning and option counts, defining width/depth, size curves and colour flows that are appropriate for each market's customer segment.
- Partner with Design/Brand/Principals to influence product briefs for kids categories, ensuring commercial viability, age appropriateness, fit, quality and compliance with local regulations.
Buying, OTB & Pricing
- Own Open to Buy (OTB) strategy and budgets for all kids categories and markets set seasonal financial targets by category, country and channel.
- Lead pre season analysis and define buy quantities, newness ratios and reorders consolidate regional buy plans and present to senior leadership.
- Conduct showroom buys and negotiate terms, exclusivities, capsules and delivery windows that support regional needs.
- Define and maintain pricing architecture and markdown strategy by market, ensuring price integrity for luxury positioning while remaining competitive.
In Season Trading & Inventory Management
- Monitor weekly sales, stock, sell through and margin KPIs across markets, categories and key doors drive timely actions on re buys, cancellations and consolidations.
- Lead in season trading decisions (promotions, transfers, reallocation between stores and markets, online vs offline mix) to maximise full price sell through and minimise aged stock.
- Oversee inventory health, including stock cover, ageing and end of season exit plans for kids categories partner with outlets and online to clear residual inventory while protecting brand equity.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain and Logistics to secure optimal delivery phasing, replenishment cadence and allocation rules, considering school calendars and festivals in each market.
Cross Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Retail Operations, E commerce and Visual Merchandising to ensure the kids assortment is presented according to luxury brand standards and commercial priorities.
- Align with Visual Merchandising on zoning, fixtures, stories and product density that are appropriate for kids (safety, accessibility, storytelling).
- Collaborate with Retail Operations and Training to equip store teams with product knowledge, category focus and kids specific selling stories.
- Partner with Finance on budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning for kids categories across all three markets.
- Partner with Marketing, CRM and E commerce to plan drops, capsules and exclusives that support key commercial moments (school terms, holidays, festive seasons, travel periods).
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and develop a regional merchandising team (buyers and planner) for the kids business set clear objectives, KPIs and development plans.
- Foster a high performance, data driven and customer centric culture within the merchandising team.
- Provide coaching and mentorship to country merchandising/retail teams on kids range understanding, trading and space optimization.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- Masters/Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Marketing or related field.
- 8 years of experience in fashion merchandising and/or buying, with at minimum 3 years in a senior management role preferably within the kids luxury lifestyle business.
- Demonstrated track record managing assortments and trading across multiple markets.
- Experience in kidswear merchandising with a strong interest and understanding of the kids customer journey will be an advantage.
- Solid background in OTB management, range planning, pricing, and in season trading for multi store and omnichannel retail.
- Commercial and brand sensitive mindset, able to balance sales, profitability and luxury positioning.
- High level of taste and fashion sensibility for luxury kidswear, with an understanding of fit, comfort and practicality for children.
