The Opportunity: RK Group in collaboration with a leading global footwear brand is setting up a new venture to run e-commerce operations for the brand.

For the same, we are looking to hire an experienced and business focused Head of Merchandising.

The ideal candidate should have strong experience in fashion e-commerce to drive the merchandising strategy/ assortment planning and should be able to manage key stakeholders (partner brand and marketplaces), thereby achieving topline and bottomline targets.

Key Responsibilities:

Devising merchandising strategy:

- Develop merchandise strategy for all e-commerce channels (annual, seasonal and for major events), aligned with brand positioning and sales targets.

- Optimise assortment strategy, working closely with design and sourcing teams.

- Analyse product performance and consumer trends to take buying and replenishment decisions.

Managing stakeholders:

- Build and nurture strong relationships with partner brand and its key stakeholders such as design, sourcing and pricing teams.

- Coordinate with brand partner on aspects like pricing and discounts (e.g , finalize differential discount plan for BAU vs events).

- Partner with marketplaces (category teams) to ensure visibility and conversion.

- Push brand visibility on marketplaces via marketing campaigns, PLAs, strategic discussions with marketplaces for free-of-cost visibility.

- Discuss, plan and negotiate for participation in marketing events.

Cross functional collaboration:.

- Manage the merchandising calendar to align marketplace content with marketing campaigns, promotions and product launches.

- Optimize marketplace site merchandising (brand store) by developing appropriate product catalogues, imagery and categorization.

- Partner with finance and operations teams on budgeting and inventory planning.

- To achieve bottomline target, work closely with operations/ finance teams and brand partner to ensure that there are no leakages in revenues/claims and there is regular reconciliation/ settlement.

Team leadership:.

- Lead and mentor a high-performing merchandising team (3 to 5 members to start with, with an average experience of 4 to 6 years).

- Set clear KPIs and foster a culture of ownership and performance.

Reporting and analytics:.

- Track key performance metrics (ASPs, discounts, customer returns, ROS, sell through, ageing, etc.) and make timely interventions on reorders, markdowns and exits.

- Also regularly track competition performance metrics.

- Develop timely MIS reports for the management.

Qualifications and Experience:.

- Graduates/ Post graduates from NIFT/ premier fashion institutes or Tier - 1 B-schools.

- 12 to 15 years of experience in e-commerce fashion merchandising, preferably in footwear category.

- Must be highly skilled in inventory planning, pricing strategy and managing large assortments.

- Proven track record in vendor/ brand management.

- Should have undertaken P&L responsibility in prior roles.

- In depth knowledge of marketplace operations and platform merchandising levers.

- Strong understanding of fashion and consumer behaviour across price points.

- Experience in leading teams with a focus on people development.

- Strong communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

- Ability to manage multiple internal and external stakeholders.

Location: Bangalore, with travel as required.

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer.

Compensation: Competitive and commensurate with experience.

For the right candidate, compensation is not a constraint.