Merchandising Manager

Step into a career with Bata and be part of our Re-Ignite Strategy 2030. With over 130 years of heritage, we are transforming Bata into a stronger global brand by creating unreasonably good shoes, making them available to everyone, everywhere, and empowering our people to drive profitable growth and innovation. Bata is a leading global footwear company with more than 130 years of heritage and operations in over 70 countries, serving millions of customers worldwide. Guided by our belief that everyone, everywhere deserves good shoes and our mission to move the world forward, Bata is embarking on an ambitious Re-Ignite Strategy 2030 transformation journey. MAIN PURPOSE Drive category performance to achieve sales, margin, and profitability targets while ensuring strong assortment, inventory efficiency, and customer satisfaction. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Category Strategy & Business Management Develop annual & seasonal category strategies Plan sales, margin, inventory, and assortment Monitor performance vs. budget and forecast 2. Assortment Planning Define assortment structure (category, price point, customer segment) Develop seasonal line plans Manage full product lifecycle 3. Merchandise Planning & Inventory Create buying plans & manage inventory investment Control OTB and stock productivity Monitor sell-through, stock turn, and availability 4. Product Performance Analyze weekly & monthly performance Identify replenishment and growth opportunities Manage markdowns, promotions, and clearance 5. Pricing & Margin Set pricing strategy to achieve margin targets Optimize product mix for profitability 6. Store & Channel Execution Allocate assortment by store cluster Ensure right product, right place, right time 7. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Retail, Marketing, Supply Chain & Finance 8. Market Insights Track competitors, trends, and customer behavior KPIs Net Sales Gross Margin Inventory Turnover Sell Through % Stock Availability % Freshness % Markdown % OTB Compliance CORE COMPETENCIES Commercial & Strategic Thinking Analytical & Data-Driven Mindset Customer Focus Planning & Organization Communication & Decision Making Result-Oriented SUCCESS FACTORS Strong assortment planning capability Deep understanding of retail KPIs & inventory productivity Ability to balance sales, margin & stock Strong collaboration skills Good understanding of Kids market & trends QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Business, Merchandising, Marketing, or related field 3+ years in Merchandising / Buying / Category Management Strong analytical skills & advanced Excel Experience in merchandising/planning systems At Bata, our people are at the heart of our success. We foster a collaborative, inclusive, and agile culture where employees are empowered to learn, grow, and make an impact. Whether in our stores, offices, or distribution centers, every team member plays an important role in bringing our purpose to life and helping move Bata forward.