Apparel Merchandise & Design Manager

About the role

The Apparel Merchandise & Design Manager leads the planning, development, sourcing and execution of the apparel merchandise strategy for an international outdoor performance and lifestyle brand. This role balances imported international products with locally sourced and manufactured lines to ensure the right assortment, pricing and inventory for maximum sales and profitability.

Key responsibilities

• Develop seasonal merchandise plans aligned with global brand direction and local market needs.
• Build balanced assortments across performance running, outdoor and lifestyle categories.
• Translate global collections into commercially viable local assortments and obtain range approval.
• Own the end‑to‑end product lifecycle from concept to end‑of‑life, including forecasting, markdowns, replenishment and exit strategies.
• Design, source and work with production teams to develop locally manufactured apparel and accessories that meet brand standards, quality and cost targets.
• Forecast demand, manage OTB budgets and optimise inventory across wholesale, retail and e‑commerce channels.
• Set pricing strategies, monitor margins and identify profitability improvements.
• Analyse sales performance, provide actionable insights and conduct post‑season reviews.
• Collaborate with marketing, retail, e‑commerce and senior management on campaigns, product launches, budgets and margin tracking.

Required profile

• Proven experience in apparel merchandise planning, product lifecycle management and local manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of design, fit and construction of performance apparel.
• Ability to translate global trends into locally relevant product ranges.
• Experience managing inventory, demand forecasting and OTB budgeting.
• Excellent analytical skills to drive sales growth and profitability.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape the merchandise strategy of a leading international outdoor brand.
• Collaborative environment with cross‑functional teams.
• Exposure to both global and local product development processes.