Deputy Manager – Men's Apparel

We are seeking a commercially driven menswear professional to support the Business Head in managing the men’s apparel category end-to-end. This role encompasses range planning, product development, sourcing, production oversight, inventory management, and driving commercial performance to meet business objectives. The ideal candidate will play a critical role in ensuring the category’s success by aligning product offerings with customer demand and brand positioning.

Key Responsibilities

Merchandise & Range Planning: Develop seasonal assortments, pricing strategies, and quantity plans that align with sales targets, customer preferences, and brand identity.

Product Development: Oversee the product development process from initial concept, fabric and trims selection, sampling, fit adjustments, costing, through to final approval.

Sourcing & Vendor Management: Identify and manage vendor relationships, negotiate costs and lead times, and ensure quality and delivery standards are consistently met.

Production Management: Track development and production schedules to guarantee timely delivery and launch of collections.

Sales & Stock Analysis: Analyze sales data, margins, sell-through rates, stock levels, and ageing to recommend replenishment, markdowns, or range adjustments.

Inventory Management: Maintain optimal stock availability, size distribution, and inventory productivity across the category.

Market & Trend Analysis: Monitor competitor activity, customer preferences, and menswear trends to translate insights into commercially viable products.

Commercial Management: Manage product costing, pricing, margins, and markdowns to support overall category profitability.

Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate closely with Retail, E-commerce, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance teams to ensure seamless execution of product and seasonal plans.

Team & Business Development: Support and mentor team members, improve operational processes, and identify new opportunities for category growth and productivity enhancement.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Fashion Merchandising, Textile Science, or a related field.
- 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in men’s apparel merchandising, product development, buying, sourcing, or fashion retail.
- Strong knowledge of men’s apparel categories, fabrics, fits, product development, and seasonal range planning.
- Hands-on experience with sourcing, costing, vendor negotiation, and production follow-up.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales, stock, margin, and product performance data.
- Solid understanding of inventory planning, pricing strategies, and retail commercial performance.
- Strong communication, negotiation, coordination, and team management abilities.
- Proficiency in MS Excel and merchandise reporting tools.
- Experience managing a product or category from development through sell-through is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

Candidates with proven experience managing the full lifecycle of a product or category will be highly regarded. The role offers a competitive monthly salary starting from Rs 70,000. This position requires working on-site to ensure close collaboration with cross-functional teams and effective category management.

This opportunity is ideal for a results-oriented professional passionate about menswear and commercial success, looking to contribute to a dynamic retail environment.