Deputy Manager - Buying & Merchandising (Apparel & Accessories)

We are seeking a buying and merchandising professional to support seasonal assortment planning, sourcing and product development for Skechers India’s apparel and accessories business, with a primary focus on the India-designed women’s sportswear and activewear range.
The role will manage buying activities, vendor coordination, sample development, and assortment execution, working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver commercially relevant products within agreed timelines and quality standards.

Designation: Deputy Manager

Role: Buying & Merchandising
Location: Andheri East (Mumbai)
Department: Apparel & Accessories
Experience: 6–8 years
Reporting to: Senior Manager – B&M
Role type: Individual Contributor

Key Responsibilities

Buying & Assortment Planning

• Develop seasonal assortments aligned with consumer preferences, market trends, brand direction, and business objectives.
• Plan the product mix across styles, sizes, colors, and price points, with particular emphasis on women’s apparel.
• Analyze historical sales, category performance, and market opportunities to recommend buying quantities and assortment changes.
• Support buying and merchandising for assigned accessories categories.

Product Development & Sample Management

• Coordinate the development of India-designed collections with design, sourcing, and quality teams.
• Track samples, reviews, and approvals against seasonal development calendars.
• Review fabrics, trims, fit, construction, and product specifications with relevant teams to ensure alignment with brand requirements.
• Maintain accurate product information, assortment records and sample trackers.

Sourcing & Vendor Coordination

• Work with domestic and import suppliers to identify suitable products and development capabilities.
• Negotiate costs, minimum order quantities and delivery timelines within approved commercial parameters.
• Coordinate purchase orders, production progress and deliveries, escalating risks promptly.
• Build effective vendor relationships and monitor supplier performance.

Inventory & Category Performance

• Monitor sales, sell-through, stock availability and inventory ageing to identify opportunities and risks.
• Recommend replenishment, stock optimisation and markdown actions in coordination with planning and retail teams.
• Prepare regular buying and merchandising reports to support category decisions.

Cross-functional Execution

• Collaborate with design, sourcing, quality, supply chain and retail teams to support seasonal launches.
• Ensure timely closure of development and delivery milestones.
• Resolve product, supplier and assortment issues to maintain business continuity.

 

Qualifications & Experience

• Graduate or postgraduate qualification from NIFT.
• 6–8 years of relevant experience in apparel buying, merchandising, assortment planning and product development.
• Women’s apparel buying experience is mandatory.
• Experience in sportswear or activewear is preferred.
• Understanding of domestic and import supplier networks.
• Exposure to accessories buying and merchandising would be an advantage.

 

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial judgement, trend awareness and understanding of the Indian consumer.
• Knowledge of apparel fabrics, garment construction, fit and product development.
• Strong analytical skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Excel for planning, reporting and data analysis.
• Effective negotiation and vendor management skills.
• Clear verbal and written communication, with the ability to coordinate across teams.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple seasonal priorities and deadlines.

About Skechers

Skechers, a global Fortune 500® company, develops and markets a diverse range of lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories. Serving over 180 countries and territories, Skechers connects customers to products through department and specialty stores, e-commerce and digital stores, and through our more than 5,300 Skechers retail locations.