Director of Merchandising, Buying and Planning

Location: Miami, FL – Wynwood

The Director of Merchandising, Buying, and Planning at Coolibar leads a 2-people team and plays a key role in overseeing product strategy, procurement, inventory management, and sales and margin performance.

This role requires a deep understanding of the market, supply chain, customer preferences, and financial planning to ensure that the business meets its objectives and stays competitive.

The ideal candidate is both analytically driven and execution-focused, ensuring that products are properly ordered and distributed across Ecommerce, Marketplaces and Wholesale channels

Key responsibilities for this position:

1. Merchandise Strategy and Planning

· Develop and execute the merchandising strategy: Align the product assortment with market trends, customer needs, and the company's overall business goals.

· Forecast product demand: Analyze sales data, historical trends, and market conditions to anticipate demand and optimize product offerings.

· Set financial targets: Define sales, margin, and inventory goals, and ensure the merchandising strategy aligns with overall business objectives.

2. Buying and Product Sourcing

· Collaborate with product selection and purchasing: Identify, select, and purchase textile products that meet market demand and consumer trends while optimizing cost, quality, and lead time.

· Help to build relationships with suppliers: Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors to negotiate competitive pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.

3. Inventory Management and Optimization

· Lead planning teams: Work with inventory and planning teams to ensure optimal stock levels are maintained without overstocking or understocking products.

· Implement inventory control processes: Establish systems for efficient inventory turnover, tracking, and replenishment to minimize waste and lost sales.

· Analyze and adjust inventory levels: Monitor product performance and make adjustments to inventory levels based on sales trends and forecasts.

4. Sales Performance Analysis and Reporting

· Monitor and analyze sales performance: Track product performance, sales trends, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the effectiveness of merchandising and buying strategies.

· Adjust product offerings: Make data-driven decisions to introduce new products or phase out underperforming ones.

· Generate performance reports: Regularly report on sales, margins, and other financial metrics to senior management and adjust strategies as needed.

5. Cross-functional Collaboration

· Work with marketing and sales teams: Collaborate with marketing teams to ensure that products are promoted effectively and that the assortment aligns with promotional strategies.

· Coordinate with supply chain and logistics: Ensure smooth coordination between buying and logistics to guarantee timely deliveries and efficient product flow.

· Align with design and product development: Work closely with design and product development teams to ensure the product assortment fits customer demand and fashion trends.

6. Team Leadership and Development

· Lead and manage the merchandising, buying, and planning teams: Provide guidance and leadership to the team, ensuring they meet their individual and collective goals.

· Foster team growth and development: Provide mentorship, training, and career development opportunities to staff members to enhance their skills and ensure team success.

· Establish clear goals and performance metrics: Ensure the team understands business objectives and holds them accountable for their performance.

7. Budgeting and Financial Oversight

· Manage budget allocation: Develop and manage the budget for merchandising, buying, and planning functions, ensuring effective use of financial resources.

· Achieve financial targets: Monitor sales and profit margins to ensure targets are met, adjusting strategies and spending as needed to optimize profitability.

In summary, the Director of Merchandising, Buying, and Planning in the textile industry is responsible for creating and executing the merchandising strategy, optimize sourcing and purchasing products, managing inventory, leading cross-functional teams, and ensuring financial success.

Qualifications:

- 10 years of experience in merchandising

- Apparel/textile industry experience is a must have

- Strong knowledge of Ecommerce, Amazon FBA/FBM, and wholesale distribution models

- Experience in complex financial planning

- Tech savvy: Knowledge of SAP B1, Powerbi and Microsoft Office Suite are a plus

- Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask

- Leader and teamwork

Schedule:

- On Site, Monday to Friday,

- Travel up to 20%