Hiring: Lead Merchandiser

Location: Gurugram

Experience: 5-10 Years

About the Role

We are looking for a highly analytical and commercially driven Lead Merchandiser to join a fast-growing premium fashion retail organization.

This role will be responsible for driving category performance, optimizing inventory productivity, and delivering profitable growth through effective merchandising, assortment planning, and data-driven decision-making.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of fashion retail, consumer trends, inventory management, and business analytics.

You should be equally comfortable interpreting data, managing product performance, and influencing strategic merchandising decisions.

Key Responsibilities

Category Planning & Business Performance

- Drive category growth through effective merchandise planning, assortment optimization, and inventory management.

- Analyze category performance and identify opportunities to improve sales, margins, inventory turns, and profitability.

- Monitor key retail KPIs including sell-through, sell-out, stock cover, markdowns, inventory aging, and gross margins.

- Develop category-level business plans aligned with revenue and profitability objectives.

Assortment Planning & Forecasting

- Lead assortment planning and range architecture based on market trends, consumer insights, and historical performance.

- Develop demand forecasts and inventory plans to ensure optimal stock availability across channels.

- Drive seasonal planning, product mix optimization, and inventory allocation strategies.

- Partner with buying and product teams to build commercially successful assortments.

Inventory & Allocation Management

- Manage inventory productivity across stores, channels, and product categories.

- Optimize stock allocation, replenishment, and redistribution strategies.

- Minimize stock-outs, excess inventory, and markdown exposure through proactive planning.

- Monitor inventory health and recommend corrective actions to maximize profitability.

Data Analytics & Decision Support

- Leverage data and analytics to identify trends, risks, and growth opportunities.

- Prepare business performance reports, forecasting models, and actionable recommendations.

- Utilize advanced Excel and analytical tools to support merchandising decisions.

- Drive a data-first approach across merchandising and planning functions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Collaborate closely with buying, sourcing, planning, retail, marketing, and finance teams.

- Support product launches, promotional planning, and seasonal business reviews.

- Work with leadership teams to develop growth strategies and category roadmaps.

- Ensure alignment between merchandising objectives and overall business goals.

Required Skills & Experience

- 5-10 years of experience in Fashion Retail, Apparel Merchandising, Category Management, or Merchandise Planning.

- Strong understanding of retail KPIs including sell-through, inventory turns, stock cover, markdowns, margins, and category profitability.

- Proven experience in assortment planning, forecasting, allocation, and inventory optimization.

- Strong analytical skills with the ability to convert data into actionable business insights.

- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and merchandising analytics.

- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of fashion retail dynamics.

- Experience working in fast-paced retail, lifestyle, fashion, or consumer-focused organizations.

- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- MBA from a reputed institution or NIFT graduate preferred.

- Experience working with premium, lifestyle, fashion, or luxury retail brands.

- Exposure to merchandising tools, retail planning systems, and business intelligence platforms.

- Strong understanding of consumer behavior, fashion trends, and category management.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a commercially focused merchandising professional who combines strong analytical capabilities with fashion sensibility.

You should be passionate about driving category growth, leveraging data for decision-making, and building profitable merchandise strategies in a dynamic retail environment