Manager, Buying

Purpose & Overall Relevance for The Organisation

The Manager, Buying plays a critical role in driving commercial success by leading end-to-end product planning, assortment strategy, and inventory management across Retail and Franchise channels. Working closely with cross-functional teams locally and across APAC, the Manager, Buying translates strategic priorities into actionable plans, while continuously optimizing in-season performance through data-driven insights and agile decision-making. 

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Season Planning

• Validate opportunities and challenges to inform product planning strategies and maximize profitability.
• Implement key strategic priorities across Retail and Franchise channels, aligned with SEA DTC Product Planning frameworks.
• Build seasonal DTC assortments by channel to ensure targeted yet cohesive product ranges.
• Lead business segment and product division planning for monobrand stores to achieve category and channel ambitions.
• Collaborate with Retail & Franchise Lead to plan Open-To-Buy (OTB) budgets, ensuring alignment with historical full-price sales performance.
• Own and steer forecasts across channels, including sales and margin projections.
• Ensure effective budget investment through optimized range planning.
• Define and monitor benchmarks and KPIs on productivity and sell-through performance.
• Conduct buy reviews and implement category-level buying strategies.
• Oversee merchandise flow, ensuring timely product and marketing launches.
• Define methodologies and support implementation of assortment options across channels.
• Drive continuous improvement of product planning systems and tools.
• Implement reporting frameworks to evaluate business performance and inform strategy.
• Provide fact-based insights and feedback to internal and external stakeholders (pre- and post-season).
• Review size ratios and take corrective actions prior to order placement.

In-Season Management

• Conduct regular analysis and deliver comprehensive reports to stakeholders across pre-, in-, and post-season phases.
• Analyze sales performance and take corrective actions to optimize results.
• Monitor inventory through monthly OTB tracking and adjust plans accordingly.
• Ensure optimal product availability across Retail and Franchise channels.
• Manage end-of-season stock flow and lifecycle (PLC), including sell-through optimization.
• Ensure timely execution of product and marketing launches.
• Support and monitor in-season chase models (e.g., SPEED, ISC, PR) to enhance responsiveness.
• Analyze product performance, pricing, and consumer feedback to inform decisions.

Leadership & Team Management

• Evaluate the competencies of subordinates on a regular basis and provides prompt and feedback and guidance to drive high performance.
• Takes ownership for Talent Management processes to grow, develop and retain talents.
• Promote a high performance culture by setting clear expectations and individual goals.
• Translate the company goals into team specific actions and business plans.
• Control and monitor performance and results. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Full Price Sell-Through (ST) and Full Price Net Sales Mix
• Category, Division, Concept, and Gender Contribution to Sales and Margin
• Terminal Stock and Pull-Out Levels
• Cost of Reductions (Markdowns)
• Inventory Health (Days, Stock Turns, Months on Hand - MOH)

Key Relationships

• APAC Product Planning & Inventory Teams
• General Manager (GM)
• In-Country DTC Lead
• In-Country Marketing & Commercial Teams

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 6–8 years of experience in buying, merchandising, or product planning in retail
• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in a leadership role, managing or mentoring a team.
• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end merchandise planning, including assortment strategy, OTB management, and demand forecasting.
• Strong track record of managing sales, margin, and inventory KPIs, with tangible business impact.
• Advanced capability in data analysis and reporting (Excel required; experience with planning tools/systems preferred).
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into actionable commercial strategies.
• Experience working in a multi-channel environment (e.g., Retail, Franchise, eCommerce), with an understanding of channel-specific dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management, including cross-functional and regional collaboration (e.g., APAC exposure is a plus).
• Solid understanding of category management, product lifecycle, and market trends.
• Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of consumer trends, category performance, and product lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.