Senior Director of Merchandising and Buying

Posted 1 hour 13 minutes ago by Jobtailor

Permanent
Full Time
Other
London, United Kingdom
Job Description
  • Own and execute the merchandising and buying strategy for the EMEA marketplace across Owned Retail, Wholesale, and Franchise.
  • Translate global brand and product strategies into an EMEA commercial strategy reflecting regional customer needs and market dynamics.
  • Establish seasonal and annual commercial objectives with EMEA leadership.
  • Identify marketplace opportunities, product gaps, consumer trends, and commercial risks to maximize revenue, margin, and long-term growth.
  • Own seasonal buying and assortment decisions across EMEA.
  • Build localized assortments and determine category mix, breadth, depth, size curves, and inventory investment by market and channel.
  • Partner with Planning on seasonal buys, forecasting, replenishment, inventory transfers, and inventory strategies.
  • Monitor in-season performance and recommend assortment, inventory, replenishment, allocation, markdown, promotional, and exit actions.
  • Develop differentiated merchandising strategies across Owned Retail, Wholesale, and Franchise.
  • Lead merchandising and buying strategy for expansion into new EMEA markets, including localized launch assortments, inventory, pricing, and launch plans.
  • Represent EMEA customer and marketplace needs in global merchandising and product conversations.
  • Provide regional insights influencing product development, assortment architecture, size strategies, and launch priorities.
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing EMEA merchandising and buying organization.
  • Establish accountability, decision-making frameworks, scalable processes, tools, and operating rhythms.
  • Coach and mentor the team, develop succession, and champion operational excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Report to Dawn Vitale.
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Merchandising, Fashion, Retail Management, or a related discipline.
  • 10+ years of progressive experience in Merchandising, Buying, or Commercial leadership within premium fashion or lifestyle brands.
  • Significant experience operating across multiple international markets, preferably within EMEA.
  • Proven experience supporting Retail, Wholesale, and Franchise business models.
  • Strong understanding of regional consumer behavior, assortment localization, and international merchandising strategies.
  • Demonstrated success driving commercial growth across omnichannel environments.
  • Advanced analytical skills with expertise in assortment planning, inventory management, forecasting, and financial analysis.
  • Experience working closely with global headquarters while representing regional business needs.
  • Strong executive presence with exceptional communication and influencing skills.
  • Advanced proficiency in Excel and merchandising/planning systems such as Anaplan, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar platforms.
  • Deep understanding of the EMEA retail landscape and evolving consumer trends.
  • Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders across multiple regions and time zones.
  • Entrepreneurial, adaptable, and energized by a high-growth, fast-paced environment.
  • Customer-obsessed and passionate about delivering exceptional product experiences.
  • Hands-on leadership across strategic and operational work.
Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing merchandising and buying strategies tailored to the EMEA marketplace, with a strong focus on assortment planning, inventory management, and commercial growth across multiple channels. Proven ability to lead high-performing teams while influencing cross-functional stakeholders and adapting to evolving consumer trends.

Highest-signal resume keywords
  • Merchandising Strategy Development
  • Assortment Planning
  • Inventory Management
  • Commercial Leadership
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
Hard Skills
  • Assortment Planning
  • Inventory Management
  • Financial Analysis
  • Forecasting
  • Commercial Growth
  • Market Analysis
  • Consumer Behavior Understanding
  • Buying Strategy
  • Localization Strategy
  • Omnichannel Strategy
Soft Skills
  • Exceptional Communication
  • Influencing Skills
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • Adaptability
  • Entrepreneurial Mindset
Industry Keywords
  • EMEA Marketplace
  • Retail
  • Wholesale
  • Franchise
  • Premium Fashion
  • Lifestyle Brands
  • Consumer Trends
  • Operational Excellence
  • High-Growth Environment
  • Strategic Leadership
Tools & Technologies
  • Excel
  • Anaplan
  • SAP
  • Oracle
  • NetSuite