Manager - Buying and Merchandising

About the role

The Manager – Buying and Merchandising will lead the seasonal product selection, vendor negotiations and inventory optimisation for Apparel Group in Bahrain. This role combines strategic assortment planning with hands‑on merchandising execution to drive sales, margin and brand consistency across stores.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and finalise seasonal product ranges based on market trends, historical sales and brand strategy.
• Execute the buying calendar, including product selection, vendor negotiations and purchase order placement.
• Manage open‑to‑buy (OTB) in partnership with the planning team to optimise inventory investments.
• Coordinate product allocations, replenishment and in‑season adjustments to maintain a balanced merchandise mix.
• Track WSSI, stock balancing and markdown planning to ensure healthy sell‑through.
• Analyse weekly sales performance and adjust pricing, promotions and markdowns to meet KPI targets.
• Liaise with Planning, Operations, Logistics, Finance and Brand Managers to ensure end‑to‑end merchandise flow.

Required profile

• 6‑8 years of progressive experience in retail buying and merchandising, including OTB planning and in‑season projections.
• Proven track record of achieving or exceeding sales and margin KPIs.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in forecasting, performance reporting and market trend analysis.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or a related field.

Required skills

• Markdown Planning
• Vendor Negotiations
• WSSI Tracking
• Purchase Order Placement
• Cross Functional Collaboration
• Assortment Planning