Merchandising Manager

Job Purpose:

Merchandising Manager to lead the end-to-end merchandising process for a diverse range of craft categories including textiles, wood, sustainable materials, basketry, metal, and ceramics. To bring structure, creativity, and commercial insight to curate compelling assortments and drive category growth across retail and digital platforms.

Key Result Areas:

Primary

HQ LEVEL MERCHANDISING

Merchandising Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute seasonal and long-term merchandising strategies for core craft categories.
• Identify trends and opportunities in traditional and modern craft materials, with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
• Collaborate with sourcing and product teams to introduce new materials and kits that resonate with makers and hobbyists.

Assortment & Inventory Management

• Build and maintain a well-balanced, profitable product assortment across all craft categories.
• Analyse sales, margin, and inventory data to optimize SKU performance and lifecycle.
• Ensure timely replenishment and phase-out of products based on demand and trend cycles.

• Monitor stock levels and coordinate with supply chain teams to avoid overstock or stockouts.

• Support timely replenishment and clearance strategies for slow-moving items.

Organizational & Structural Excellence

• Implement structured merchandising processes and calendars to streamline product launches and category reviews.
• Maintain accurate product data, pricing, and categorization across systems and platforms.
• Lead cross-functional meetings to align merchandising timelines with marketing, e-commerce, and operations.

Market & Trend Research

• Monitor global and local craft trends, customer preferences, and competitor assortments.
• Attend trade shows, artisan markets, and supplier meetings to stay ahead of material and design trends.

Team Collaboration & Leadership

• Mentor junior merchandisers or assistants (if applicable) and foster a collaborative team environment.
• Partner with creative, marketing, and digital teams to ensure cohesive storytelling and product presentation.

OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

Operational Efficiency

• Standardize merchandising processes across outlets to improve efficiency and reduce errors.

• Support store openings or refurbishments with tailored merchandising plans and timelines.

Assortment Localization

• Tailor product assortments based on store location, customer demographics, and sales trends.

• Ensure each outlet carries the right mix of craft categories (e.g., textiles, wood, ceramics) that align with local demand.

Visual Merchandising Support

• Provide clear guidelines and planograms for in-store displays, ensuring consistency with brand aesthetics.

• Collaborate with store teams to execute seasonal themes, promotions, and new product launches.

Sales Performance Analysis

• Analyze store-level sales data to identify high-performing products and underperforming SKUs.

• Share insights with store managers to adjust merchandising tactics and improve sell-through rates.

Training & Communication

• Train store staff on product features, trends, and selling points especially for new or complex craft materials.

• Act as a liaison between HQ and outlets to ensure alignment on merchandising goals.

Promotional Execution

• Coordinate in-store promotions, workshops, or craft demos to drive foot traffic and engagement.

• Ensure promotional materials and signage are delivered and implemented correctly.