Regional Merchandising Manager (Fashion)

REGIONAL MERCHANDISING MANAGER Salary: Competitive and based on experience Location: Kuala Lumpur Keywords: merchandising, fashion retail, category management, inventory optimisation, cross-functional collaboration, market expansion, product performance, commercial strategy

A rapidly expanding fashion retail brand is seeking a Regional Merchandising Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial direction of its business across Malaysia and Thailand. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to join a company at the forefront of delivering high-quality, everyday essentials, where your expertise will directly influence the growth and success of a multi-store retail platform. As the Regional Merchandising Manager, you will be entrusted with end-to-end ownership of the merchandising function, from assortment strategy and buying cycles to inventory flow and pricing optimisation. You will have the chance to build robust merchandising foundations, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, and make a tangible impact on revenue, gross margin, and inventory productivity. The organisation values flexibility, operational excellence, and a supportive team environment that encourages knowledge sharing and professional development.

* Shape the entire merchandising function for a new and growing fashion retail brand entering an exciting phase of regional expansion across Malaysia and Thailand, giving you the unique opportunity to leave your mark on the business from day one.
* Enjoy a collaborative workplace culture that prioritises operational excellence, open communication, and continuous learning, ensuring you are supported by knowledgeable colleagues who value teamwork and shared success.
* Benefit from flexible working opportunities and exposure to multiple markets as you drive commercial performance through strategic assortment planning, category management, and close coordination with suppliers and logistics partners.

What you'll do:

As Regional Merchandising Manager, you will be instrumental in building the commercial engine of this ambitious fashion retailer. Your day-to-day responsibilities will see you crafting tailored assortment strategies for each market while leading buying cycles that align with both brand vision and local demand. You will analyse real-time sales data to identify opportunities for in-season interventions such as targeted promotions or markdowns that protect margins while driving turnover. By overseeing every aspect of inventory flow—from supplier negotiations through warehouse allocation—you will ensure products are always available where they are needed most. Your ability to work hand-in-hand with Retail Operations will help elevate in-store experiences through thoughtful visual merchandising and strategic product placement. Regularly communicating market intelligence back to headquarters will position you as a trusted advisor whose insights shape future collections. Success in this role requires not only technical proficiency but also a passion for collaboration and a commitment to supporting your colleagues as the business grows.

* Develop comprehensive country-specific assortment strategies that reflect seasonal trends, store profiles, and customer preferences across diverse categories.
* Lead product selection processes, manage buying cycles, and rationalise SKUs in alignment with overall brand direction to ensure optimal product mix.
* Localise assortments by leveraging market insights, analysing customer data, and monitoring competitive activity to maximise relevance and appeal.
* Monitor key commercial metrics such as sell-through rates, stock ageing profiles, pricing competitiveness, and margin performance to inform timely decision-making.
* Drive in-season trading actions including markdowns, promotions, replenishment activities, and stock re-balancing initiatives to optimise sales outcomes.
* Oversee all aspects of order management from initial placement through delivery, ensuring seamless allocation processes and effective warehouse coordination.
* Work collaboratively with suppliers—particularly those based in China—and logistics partners to improve stock availability while minimising out-of-stock or overstock risks.
* Partner closely with Retail Operations teams to set visual merchandising direction, uphold display standards, and enhance category performance within stores.
* Define product priorities by identifying hero SKUs and developing in-store push strategies designed to accelerate sell-through rates.
* Provide structured feedback to headquarters regarding market needs, product gaps, consumer preferences, and emerging trends to inform future product development.

What you bring:

To excel as Regional Merchandising Manager, your background should include substantial hands-on experience within fashion or fast-moving retail sectors where you have managed complex assortments across multiple seasons. Your proven ability to balance commercial objectives—such as revenue growth and margin protection—with operational realities like inventory flow will be critical. You bring not only technical expertise but also outstanding interpersonal skills that enable you to build trust-based relationships with colleagues across functions as well as external partners. Proficiency in Mandarin is essential given the importance of supplier relationships in China. Your analytical approach allows you to translate market data into actionable insights while your collaborative spirit ensures everyone works together towards shared goals. A genuine enthusiasm for nurturing talent within your team rounds out your profile as someone who thrives in supportive environments focused on collective achievement.

* 6–10+ years of experience in merchandising, category management or buying within fashion/apparel or fast-moving retail environments is essential for this role.
* Demonstrated commercial acumen with deep understanding of assortment planning methodologies, forecasting techniques, stock flow optimisation strategies, and margin management principles is required.
* Proven track record managing seasonal collections involving high SKU complexity while maintaining strong attention to detail is highly valued.
* Exceptional cross-functional communication skills enabling effective stakeholder engagement across internal teams such as Retail Operations as well as external partners like suppliers are necessary.
* Experience working directly with suppliers based in China is considered an advantage; proficiency in Mandarin is mandatory for successful supplier collaboration.
* Ability to interpret market trends using customer insights and competitive analysis tools ensures assortments remain relevant and appealing across regions.
* Familiarity with order management systems coupled with strong organisational skills supports efficient allocation processes from warehouse through store delivery.
* Capacity for structured problem-solving combined with adaptability allows you to respond quickly to changing commercial conditions without compromising quality or service levels.
* A collaborative mindset that fosters knowledge sharing within teams contributes positively to overall business performance.

What sets this company apart:

This fashion retailer stands out for its unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality essentials designed for comfort and accessibility—values reflected not just in its products but also its workplace culture. As part of a business entering an exciting growth phase across Malaysia and Thailand, you will find yourself surrounded by passionate professionals who believe in operational excellence without sacrificing flexibility or work-life balance. The company’s flat structure encourages open dialogue between departments so that every voice is heard when shaping strategy or solving challenges together. With access to ongoing training opportunities and exposure to multiple markets at once, employees are empowered to develop their skills while contributing meaningfully to the company’s long-term vision. If you are looking for an inclusive environment where knowledge sharing is celebrated—and where your contributions can truly make a difference—this is the place for you.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on a career-defining challenge where your expertise can shape the future of fashion retail across Southeast Asia, this could be your next great move.

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—your journey towards making an impact starts here.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C