Head - Merchandising - Apparel

Role Summary:

The Head of Merchandising leads the end-to-end merchandising function across Thailand and other markets in SE Asia with accountability for seasonal planning, Open-to-Buy (OTB), allocation, in-season trading, markdown management, and inventory productivity across stores and e-commerce.

The role partners closely with the franchisor's regional teams and drives data-led merchandising through analytics and AI to maximize sales, margin, and stock performance.

Key Responsibilities:

- Develop and execute merchandise strategies aligned with brand direction, customer demand, and financial objectives.

- Own seasonal planning, OTB, WSSI, assortment selection, inventory, pricing, and markdown strategies.

- Lead in-season trading through sales analysis, forecasting, replenishment, allocation, and stock optimization.

- Manage omni-channel merchandising to ensure product availability and coordinated launches across stores and e-commerce.

- Serve as the primary merchandising partner to the franchisor while collaborating with retail, marketing, supply chain, finance, and visual merchandising teams.

- Champion the use of data, BI, and AI to improve forecasting, allocation, reporting, and merchandising decision-making.

- Lead, develop, and mentor a high-performing regional merchandising team, fostering commercial excellence and digital capability.

Key Performance Indicators:

- Sales and profit versus plan

- Gross margin and markdown performance

- Sell-through and stock turn

- Inventory productivity and availability

- GMROI and forecast accuracy

- E-commerce contribution

Candidate Profile:

- 12+ years of fashion buying/merchandising experience, including at least 5 years leading merchandising within a fast-fashion, value fashion, or vertically integrated retailer.

- Strong expertise in OTB, WSSI, assortment planning, allocation, replenishment, and inventory optimization.

- Experience managing both retail stores and e-commerce, preferably across Southeast Asia.

- Franchise or global brand experience is highly desirable.

- Proficient in merchandising systems, BI tools, and AI-enabled planning solutions, with practical use of generative AI to improve productivity and decision-making.

- Commercially driven leader with strong analytical, stakeholder management, and team leadership capabilities.

- Bachelor's degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or a related discipline.

- Fluent English required; Thai and/or Bahasa Indonesia is an advantage.