Assistant Merchandising Manager, FSN & WFJ

Job Purpose:

The Assistant Merchandising Manager is a key contributor to the Fashion & WFJ Division, co-owning merchandising strategies, driving category performance, and operating with increasing autonomy. The role requires strategic thinking, proactive leadership, and the ability to influence cross-functional partners to deliver business objectives.

The role of Assistant Merchandising Manager provides product-related analytical support to the Division by developing merchandising plan, examining Product performance, Sales trends, and Inventory levels to deliver local business objectives. He/she will also assist the Senior Merchandising Manager in strengthening partnerships with Business team.

Key Responsibilities:

Merchandising & Buying:

Fashion

• Participate in Fashion buy 6 times/year, support Senior Merchandising Manager with the assortment selection during the buying process, administer the purchase order operation as well as assist in conducting pre and post buy with boutique team
• Demonstrate assortment planning skills to ensure new and current products are cohesively represented in Boutique and recommend stock for consolidation as well as transfer opportunities both locally and regionally
• Balance commercial/ short term product opportunities with image-led/ long term product strategies
• Coordinate the OTB planning process by managing the accurate input and checking of date
• Analyze the quality of each buy in real time and provide insights of the overall performance
• Support the Reoffer business (REV/00V) through Sales and inventory analysis and order recommendation

Watches & Fine Jewelry

• Support a long-term WFJ strategy (product focus, assortment, in-store visibility)
• Develop a 360° orchestration of WFJ launches, training, and events
• Manage WFJ business: forecasting, stock efficiency, novelties, and client strategy
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Regional Core and High-End teams
• Drive High Jewelry awareness, client experience, and pipeline development

Inventory Management:

• Lead the Product Executive in managing stock and inventory for all Fashion, Watches and Fine Jewelry products to achieve stock coverage objectives
• Proactively communicate the delivery status of each collection with relevant stakeholders, as well as managing the coordination of a timely launch in accordance with local priorities (events, campaigns, etc.)

Product Analysis:

• Provide in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of Product performance across all categories
• Manage the development of Business & Merchandising Reports (e.g. Sell-thru, inventory, pre & post buy, OTB, monthly division product report) to provide regular insights and business advice to the Local & Regional team where applicable
• Build an ongoing collection of business insights to strengthen the database and support future analysis
• Align with CRM prior to each buying season to co-create recruitment and retention strategies per product category
• Integrate client insights into the buy to support qualitative recruitment and loyalty objectives

Business Partnership:

• Actively and passionately participate in internal Business meetings and maintain in close partnership with Division key stakeholders and Retail team
• Collaborate closely with VM, Training, Marketing, Communications/ PR, CRM for 360 orchestrations related to each collection launch, key product campaign and take lead in product sharing session
• Actively partner with VM and Boutique to ensure collection “must-have” are readily displayed and equally drive efficiencies on slow moving products
• Spend at least 20% of time in regular boutique visits to explore opportunities, review assortments, visual display, and other merchandising issues
• Coordinate / support with on-demand projects from local and regional team

Markdown:

• Oversee the timely preparation of Markdown inventory in accordance with Global guidelines
• Coordinate with key stakeholders on Markdown calendar and effectively manage the Markdown calendar

Aftersales & Product Quality

• Co-lead after sales service with boutique team/ After Sales coordinators
• Liaises Global and Regional After sales team on overseas repairs and ensure efficient lead-time

Collection / Product training

• Transmit the creative vision to the Retail team and build up their knowledge, passion and confidence.
• Adapt training content to the local needs, deliver collection and product-related training to the whole Retail population.
• Ensure ad-hoc training if necessary to support Retail team and business objectives.

Job Requirements:

Academic / Professional Qualifications

• Business Degree or similar
• Advanced Microsoft Office suite, particularly in Excel (Vlookup, Sumif, Pivot Table) and Power BI

Work Experience

• At least 5 - 8 years of work experience in Product or Merchandising, of which the last 3 is in a managerial position
• Fashion/Retail/Luxury background is a strong advantage

Required Competencies

• Category ownership mindset: treats assigned categories as their own business
• Leadership & influence: ability to lead discussions and inspire teams
• Anticipation & planning: forward-thinking and organized
• Resilience & adaptability thrives under pressure and manages multiple priorities
• Business acumen: connects data to strategy and action
• Proactivity: Anticipate business needs, risks, and opportunities independently

Key Interactions:

• Fashion Partners: Marketing, CRM, Retail, Communications/ PR, VM, Learning and Development
• Corporate Partners: Finance, IT, and HR
• Business Division Partners: Fashions, WFJ
• Regional and Global Partners: Product/ Merchandise teams, Supply Chain, TDS (PEPS, BI)