Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
- Define and execute the overall buying and merchandising strategy in line with PRL’s commercial objectives and brand vision.
- Partner with the CEO, CCO, Marketing, Retail Operations, and Finance to ensure cohesive product and sales strategies.
- Lead pre-season and in-season planning, including assortment architecture, margin management, and inventory forecasting.
- Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management for the Buying & Planning team.
- Build team capability through training, mentoring, and clear development pathways.
- Champion a collaborative culture that drives innovation, accountability, and execution.
Buying Strategy
- Oversee product selection and buying for all PRL brands and channels, ensuring alignment with customer preferences and market trends.
- Approve seasonal buying plans and category budgets, ensuring target margins and commercial performance.
- Ensure brand guidelines are met in assortment, pricing, and promotional strategies.
- Coordinate with Retail, E-Commerce, Marketing, and Supply Chain to align on launch timelines, product allocations, and promotional execution.
- Partner with Finance to support liquidity planning and budget adherence. Merchandise Planning & Analysis
- Lead forecasting, OTB planning, and inventory control to support profitability and stock efficiency.
- Monitor key metrics (e.g. sell-through, intake margin, stock turnover) to drive data-backed decisions.
- Implement analytics-driven assortment and replenishment models tailored to store profiles and customer segments
Vendor & Brand Partner Management
- Manage key supplier and brand relationships to ensure best-in-class terms, timely deliveries, and aligned product strategies.
- Resolve issues related to stock discrepancies, slow-moving items, or brand compliance.
Process Optimisation & Governance
- Continuously improve internal buying and planning processes to drive efficiency, visibility, and business impact.
- Maintain governance on buying timelines, stock intake planning, markdowns, and compliance metrics
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field (MBA is a plus).
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in buying and merchandising, including team leadership.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic assortment planning, product buying, and supplier negotiation.
- Strong understanding of retail metrics, sales forecasting, and merchandise analytics.
- Experience working with international fashion/sports/lifestyle brands is preferred. Skill Specification
- Strategic and commercial thinker with strong leadership presence.
- Strong analytical skills and business acumen.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management.
- Adept at using data and trends to shape buying decisions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel, BI tools, and ERP/MIS systems.
- Ability to drive performance across multiple brands and teams.
- Adaptable, process-driven, and results-oriented