Head Of Merchandising

ØRole Objective:

To lead and drive the end-to-end merchandising strategy for our client, ensuring the right assortment, vendor ecosystem, and inventory productivity aligned with the preferences of the Indian diaspora in Dubai. The role focuses on maximizing sales, stock efficiency, and customer satisfaction through strong analytical decision-making, process discipline, and market understanding.

ØKey Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive merchandising strategy aligned with business goals and revenue targets.
• Build category-wise assortment plans (Gold, Diamond, Polki, Bridal, Daily Wear, etc.) based on: (a) Customer profile (Indian diaspora segments) & (b) Occasion-based buying behaviour (weddings, festivals, gifting)
• Collaborate closely with CEO on growth roadmap and expansion strategy.
• Create and manage ideal assortment architecture.
• Ensure optimum fill rate across categories while avoiding overstocking.
• Drive inventory productivity metrics.
• Establish a system to track and control non-performing inventory (90+ days).
• Build and manage a strong network of Indian and international jewellery vendors.
• Lead vendor performance management.
• Negotiate commercial terms and ensure mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Identify and onboard new vendors aligned with evolving design trends.
• Drive design direction based on: (a) Indian cultural preferences, (b) Regional design sensibilities (North, South, Bridal, Contemporary) & (c) Local Dubai market trend
• Analyse design performance:
• Ensure continuous newness in collection while maintaining core bestsellers.
• Conduct weekly/monthly merchandise reviews.
• Present insights and action plans to CEO with clear business impact.
• Establish and enforce standard merchandising SOPs.
• Drive process discipline and accountability within the merchandising team.
• Ensure merchandise reflects customer demand and store-level realities.
• Capture store feedback and customer insights to refine assortment.
• Ensure availability of right product at right time for key occasions.
• Build and lead a high-performance merchandising team.
• Define clear roles, KRAs, and KPIs for team members.

ØRequirements:

• Experience: 8+ years in the Indian Jewelry sector, specifically within the UAE market.
• The Data DNA: A proven track record of using KPIs (like stock turn, GMROI, and sell-through) to drive bottom-line results.
• Network: Strong, active relationships with gold, diamond, or polki manufacturers in major Indian hubs.
• Leadership: Experience building teams and implementing scalable processes in a fast-paced retail environment.