Retail Merchandiser (Fashion / Footwear)

Retail Merchandiser (Fashion / Footwear)

Job Summary:

The Retail Merchandiser (Fashion / Footwear) is responsible for driving product strategy and performance across distributor-led markets by ensuring the right assortment is available in the right channel at the right time. This role acts as a key link between distributors and internal teams, translating consumer insights, sales data, and market trends into actionable merchandising strategies. Operating in an indirect business model, the role focuses on influencing distributor decisions, optimizing product allocation, and enhancing sell-through while maintaining alignment with brand and commercial objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and execute seasonal assortment strategies by channel and market, ensuring alignment with consumer demand, pricing architecture, and brand positioning

• Develop product allocation and segmentation plans, including key franchises, depth vs. breadth strategies, and exclusive product opportunities

• Partner with distributors to influence buying decisions, order composition, and product prioritization to maximize commercial performance

• Analyze product performance metrics (sell-through, stock levels, size curves, lifecycle performance) to identify risks and growth opportunities

• Monitor inventory levels and recommend actions to minimize stock shortages or overstock situations across markets

• Evaluate campaign and product launch performance, translating insights into actionable recommendations for future seasons

• Build and maintain regular reporting dashboards, providing clear insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders and distributor partners

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Planning, and Trade Marketing teams to ensure alignment between product strategy and market execution

• Contribute to business planning processes by providing insights on channel strategy, assortment planning, and growth opportunities

• Guide distributors on assortment gaps, pricing strategy, and lifecycle management to continuously optimize business performance

• Support forecasting and demand planning discussions with data-driven recommendations, while aligning with distributor capabilities

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance merchandising processes, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Merchandising, or a related field

• 3–5 years of experience in retail merchandising, preferably within fashion or footwear brands

• Strong understanding of distributor business models and indirect go-to-market structures

• Proven ability to influence external partners and drive alignment without direct authority

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable merchandising decisions

• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel; experience with Power BI or similar tools is a plus

• Strong product sense with an understanding of fashion trends, consumer behavior, and retail dynamics

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across diverse markets and cultures

• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure

• Proactive, results-driven, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively