Merchandising Head

I. JOB TITLE: Merchandising Head

II. JOB LEVEL: Director - Managerial

III. TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Full-time Employee; 5 months probation.

IV. COMPANY: Safestep Philippines

V. WORK SCHEDULE: Monday to Friday; 8:30AM to 5:30PM

VI. WORK SETUP: Hybrid; current head office is in Meycauayan Bulacan but will soon transfer to Mandaluyong in Q1 of next year. Until then, work from home is acceptable and face-to-face is required for mancom meetings and critical alignment meetings only, the rest we manage via online calls.

VII. COMPENSATION: Between Php 40,000.00 to Php 50,000.00 gross monthly

VIII. JOB SUMMARY:

The Merchandising Head will lead and oversee the overall merchandising strategy and operations for multiple international sports and lifestyle brands under Safestep Philippines — including Anta, Skechers, Fitflop, Salomon, and Wilson. This role will manage a team of merchandisers responsible for product assortment, pricing, sales forecasting, and inventory management across various channels such as wholesale, retail, and department store concessionaires.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong analytical ability, deep understanding of the sports/lifestyle retail market, and proven experience in leading merchandising functions for globally recognized brands or large distributors. This position plays a key role in ensuring optimal product performance, sales growth, and brand positioning across the company's portfolio.

IX. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead and mentor the merchandising team handling multiple brand portfolios.
• Develop and implement merchandising strategies aligned with company goals and brand positioning.
• Drive sales performance through data-driven assortment planning and inventory management.

Merchandising Operations

• Oversee the full product lifecycle — from buying, allocation, replenishment, and sell-through management.
• Monitor and analyze product movement across all channels (wholesale, retail, department stores, online).
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing teams to ensure product alignment with market demand and promotional calendars.
• Ensure effective merchandise presentation standards across stores and partners.

Data & Financial Management

• Review and analyze sales, margin, and inventory reports to optimize assortment and improve profitability.
• Manage pricing strategies and markdown planning in coordination with the finance team.
• Forecast product demand and ensure timely replenishment to avoid overstock or stock-outs.

Vendor & Brand Coordination

• Liaise with brand principals and suppliers for product orders, allocations, and seasonal planning.
• Ensure compliance with brand guidelines and retail merchandising standards.
• Coordinate with logistics and warehouse teams for timely product delivery and distribution.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Operations, Sales, and Marketing to align merchandising plans with business objectives.
• Participate in management committee (ManCom) meetings and contribute to strategic business discussions.

X. REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills; proficient in sales and inventory analysis.
• Strategic mindset with a high level of business acumen.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Excel or other data analysis tools; experience in ERP or retail management systems is an advantage.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-brand environment.

XI. QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in merchandising or product management roles, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Preferably from renowned sportswear or lifestyle brands (e.g., Nike, Adidas, Puma) or major distributors/retail groups (e.g., Primer Group, Rustan's, Robinsons, or similar).
• Proven track record in driving sales and optimizing product performance through effective merchandising.
• Experience handling multiple brands and categories across diverse sales channels.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Php40, Php50,000.00 per month

Work Location: In person