Merchandising Leader

Role to be relocate to Beijing This is a pivotal senior leadership position at a global fashion company, offering the chance to define product strategy, build a world-class supply chain, and directly impact the commercial success and growth of the brand across global markets. You will own the link between creative vision and market execution. This role drives the strategic direction of product development and manages the global sourcing and procurement functions, ensuring commercial viability, quality excellence, and on‑time delivery across all channels. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Product & Commercial Strategy Strategic Planning: Identify category trends, consumer needs, and market gaps to establish clear design and fabric guidelines by category, implementing these findings directly into the seasonal range plan. Concept Oversight: Oversee the overall seasonal concept, including colour palette, fabric direction, and design integrity, in partnership with the Brand Director and Design team. Financial Alignment: Collaborate closely with Finance and the Brand Inventory team, alongside the Head of Buying, to establish and finalize the commercial range plan. Delivery Management: Define and manage the delivery plan for brand and online collections, coordinating efforts across Sales, Buying, and Design teams to ensure market timing is optimized. Sales Growth: Continually analyze and drive improvements in sales growth and sales‑through rates across the brand's multi‑channel retail and online network. 2. Sourcing, Procurement & Quality Leadership Team Management: Lead and manage the category buying team, mentoring them to manage the complete product development process. Supplier Development: Jointly develop the global supplier base with the Head of Buying, identifying new supplier needs, managing new supplier induction, and proactively spotting new market developments. Procurement Excellence: Oversee all order placements and negotiations (purchase price, quality standards, delivery terms) to consistently meet KPIs for margin, quality, and lead‑time/on‑time delivery. Production Strategy: Develop and execute a competitive global production strategy, focusing on speed‑to‑market for trends and efficient repeat order mechanisms. Quality Assurance: Guarantee fit and quality standards are maintained at the highest level and that all technical specifications are current. 3. Product Development & Innovation Process Ownership: Drive the entire product development process, including fitting, bulk management, pricing strategy, quality control, and lead time management. Innovation: Actively drive product innovation by supporting the total design process and ensuring the integration of the latest developments, techniques, and fabrics. Inspiration: Participate in seasonal inspiration trips with the Design team to ensure commercial strategy is aligned with creative vision. 4. Cross-Functional Leadership Lead strategic partnerships with all cross‑functional departments and brands to develop long‑term strategies that meet overarching business goals, while maintaining strict parameters on cost, quality targets, and delivery schedules. JOB REQUIREMENTS Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in Design, Buying, or Merchandising, with a strong preference for expertise in the Menswear market. Leadership: Proven track record of excellent leadership and team management, with the ability to inspire and mentor high‑performing teams. Technical Acumen: Deep hands‑on product skills and robust technical knowledge in garment construction and fit. Bachelor's degree in Textiles, Fashion, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. Organizational Skills: Exceptional ability to set strategic priorities, maintain organization, and manage complex, multi‑seasonal workflows. Business Mindset: Strong analytical skills coupled with a keen commercial and business acumen. Trend Savvy: Possesses a strong fashion sense and the proven ability to successfully translate market trends into commercially successful products. Negotiation: Superior negotiation and strategic procurement skills. Drive: An unwavering passion for delivering the best possible product to the shop floor and customer. #J-18808-Ljbffr