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On behalf of our partner—a highly established and leading Asia-Pacific apparel retail group renowned for contemporary, professional smart-casual wardrobe solutions—we are seeking an exceptional Business Operations & Merchandise Planning Lead . As our partner accelerates their omni-channel integration and cross-border business expansion, this commercial, data-led leader will bridge strategic merchandise planning (OTB budgets, assortment depth, size curves, gross margins) with end-to-end commercial operations across Mainland China’s retail store network and major e-commerce platforms (Tmall, JD.com, Douyin, Brand Official Sites). If you thrive in high-velocity retail environments, excel at category growth, and possess a deep operational understanding of the Mainland China fashion ecosystem, this is a strategic leadership opportunity to shape regional business operations. Core Mandate & Key Responsibilities 1. Omni-Channel Business Operations & P&L Leadership Commercial Drive: Oversee daily commercial and business operations across Mainland China e-commerce channels and physical retail networks to achieve top-line revenue and bottom-line margin objectives. Peak Event Execution: Lead cross-functional alignment (Logistics, Digital Marketing, Retail Ops) to execute high-impact promotional periods (e.g., 618, Double 11, Golden Week), ensuring optimal stock depth and operational readiness. Channel Collaboration: Partner closely with platform account managers and retail store leads to drive targeted promotional mechanics while protecting overall brand equity and gross margins. 2. Strategic Merchandise Planning & OTB Management Seasonal OTB Formulation: Build, manage, and execute seasonal Open-To-Buy (OTB) budgets, sales targets, and category buying parameters aligned with brand architecture. Assortment Analytics & SKU Optimization: Analyze historical sell-through rates and depth on core items to refine size-curve ratios, eliminating out-of-stock risks on top-performing SKUs. Financial Performance Accountability: Drive key commercial metrics, including target Season-End Sell-Through %, Ending Gross Profit Dollars (GP$), and Ending GP%. 3. Cross-Border Supply Chain & Inventory Health Inventory Allocation & Consolidation: Direct multi-channel stock allocation, transfers, and replenishment flows between the Hong Kong central hub and Mainland China distribution hubs/retail stores. Aged Stock Mitigation: Deploy data-backed markdown models and clearance strategies alongside Retail Operations to clear aged inventory efficiently. Quick-Response Readiness: Establish automated alert mechanisms to identify fast-selling lines early, facilitating quick-response (QR) re-orders and inventory turn speed. 4. Executive Reporting & Analytics Strategic Reviews: Lead regular Product Review and Commercial Operations meetings with senior leadership, translating complex sales data into actionable business strategies. Advanced BI Tools: Build and refine real-time dashboards using BI platforms (Power BI, Tableau) and Excel (Power Query/VBA) to monitor sell-through trends and stock turn abnormalities. Candidate Profile & Qualifications Education: Degree holder in Statistics, Supply Chain Management, Fashion Retail, Business Administration, or related disciplines. Experience: 8–10+ years of progressive experience in merchandise planning, buying, or retail/e-commerce business operations within the apparel/fashion sector, with at least 2+ years in a solid team lead or managerial role . Market Exposure: Proven hands-on experience managing Mainland China markets is mandatory, including direct exposure to major China e-commerce ecosystems and hybrid direct/franchise retail structures. Technical Proficiency: Advanced capabilities in Excel (VBA, Power Query) and BI tools ( Power BI or Tableau ). Experience with modern retail ERP and omni-channel inventory systems. Leadership Capabilities: Excellent strategic planning, commercial acumen, and stakeholder management skills to influence decision-making across diverse business units. Mobility: Full flexibility for frequent travel and overnight stays in Guangzhou / Mainland China.