Role OverviewAssortment Strategy Leadership Design and own the full assortment architecture, including seasonal themes, brand mix, and depth-versus-breadth strategy across all direct-to-consumer and core assortment channels.Buying Leadership Lead and guide the buying team to ensure every purchasing decision aligns with the overall assortment strategy and commercial objectives.Financial Ownership Drive open-to-buy planning, margin performance, demand forecasting, pricing strategy, and inventory productivity.Technology & AI Enablement Champion the use of AI-driven planning tools to enhance forecasting, trend identification, and decision-making across the merchandising function.Team Development Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team that operates with autonomy, accountability, and analytical rigor.Cross-Functional Collaboration Serve as a central partner connecting planning with styling, inventory management, product development, and leadership teams.Key ResponsibilitiesAssortment Planning & Architecture Own end-to-end assortment planning across all channels by season and theme. Build assortment strategies based on customer segmentation, product attributes, and whitespace opportunities. Develop both pre-season and in-season planning for third-party and private-label programs. Define seasonal vision and ensure buying execution aligns with strategy. Set and manage targets for sales, receipt flow, margins, inventory turns, and sell-through. Buying Strategy & Execution Lead the buying team and ensure alignment with financial and assortment plans. Guide brand selection, style assortment, and purchase quantities. Develop category-level buying strategies using data insights and trend forecasting. Build and maintain strong vendor partnerships to support speed, flexibility, and margin goals. Collaborate with product development teams to expand private-label initiatives. Financial Planning & Analytics Manage open-to-buy processes, forecasting models, and scenario planning. Apply analytical methods to demand forecasting, size optimization, and pricing strategy. Track and optimize key performance metrics such as margin, inventory productivity, and customer conversion. Oversee full product lifecycle margin management, including markdown and exit planning. AI, Tools & Automation Implement and optimize AI-powered planning and forecasting tools. Evaluate and improve planning systems for scalability and efficiency. Develop automated workflows for replenishment, allocation, and assortment optimization. Leverage machine learning insights to identify trends and improve decision accuracy. Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration Align assortment strategies with styling and merchandising leadership. Partner closely with inventory and planning leadership on strategic priorities. Coach and develop team members to operate with strong ownership and accountability. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, curiosity, and measurable performance.Requirements8–10+ years of experience in merchandising, planning, or buying within the apparel industry. Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams. Deep knowledge of apparel categories, including fit, fabrication, and seasonal trends. Experience across the full product lifecycle, including third-party buying and private-label development. Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including forecasting and financial modeling. Proficiency with advanced spreadsheets and planning systems. Experience using AI-driven tools for merchandising or forecasting.
Role Overview
Assortment Strategy Leadership
Design and own the full assortment architecture, including seasonal themes, brand mix, and depth-versus-breadth strategy across all direct-to-consumer and core assortment channels.
Buying Leadership
Lead and guide the buying team to ensure every purchasing decision aligns with the overall assortment strategy and commercial objectives.
Financial Ownership
Drive open-to-buy planning, margin performance, demand forecasting, pricing strategy, and inventory productivity.
Technology & AI Enablement
Champion the use of AI-driven planning tools to enhance forecasting, trend identification, and decision-making across the merchandising function.
Team Development
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing team that operates with autonomy, accountability, and analytical rigor.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Serve as a central partner connecting planning with styling, inventory management, product development, and leadership teams.
Key Responsibilities
Assortment Planning & Architecture
- Own end-to-end assortment planning across all channels by season and theme.
- Build assortment strategies based on customer segmentation, product attributes, and whitespace opportunities.
- Develop both pre-season and in-season planning for third-party and private-label programs.
- Define seasonal vision and ensure buying execution aligns with strategy.
- Set and manage targets for sales, receipt flow, margins, inventory turns, and sell-through.
Buying Strategy & Execution
- Lead the buying team and ensure alignment with financial and assortment plans.
- Guide brand selection, style assortment, and purchase quantities.
- Develop category-level buying strategies using data insights and trend forecasting.
- Build and maintain strong vendor partnerships to support speed, flexibility, and margin goals.
- Collaborate with product development teams to expand private-label initiatives.
Financial Planning & Analytics
- Manage open-to-buy processes, forecasting models, and scenario planning.
- Apply analytical methods to demand forecasting, size optimization, and pricing strategy.
- Track and optimize key performance metrics such as margin, inventory productivity, and customer conversion.
- Oversee full product lifecycle margin management, including markdown and exit planning.
AI, Tools & Automation
- Implement and optimize AI-powered planning and forecasting tools.
- Evaluate and improve planning systems for scalability and efficiency.
- Develop automated workflows for replenishment, allocation, and assortment optimization.
- Leverage machine learning insights to identify trends and improve decision accuracy.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Align assortment strategies with styling and merchandising leadership.
- Partner closely with inventory and planning leadership on strategic priorities.
- Coach and develop team members to operate with strong ownership and accountability.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, curiosity, and measurable performance.
Requirements
- 8–10+ years of experience in merchandising, planning, or buying within the apparel industry.
- Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams.
- Deep knowledge of apparel categories, including fit, fabrication, and seasonal trends.
- Experience across the full product lifecycle, including third-party buying and private-label development.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills, including forecasting and financial modeling.
- Proficiency with advanced spreadsheets and planning systems.
- Experience using AI-driven tools for merchandising or forecasting.
