Merchandising Specialist – Luxury Retail
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary Range: Approximately ¥4,000,000 – ¥6,500,000 annually (plus potential bonuses)
Working Hours: Weekdays with flexible working hours available
Company Overview
A global luxury fashion company is seeking a Merchandising Specialist to support product planning, buying operations, and inventory management for the Japan market. The organization is known for delivering premium fashion products while maintaining a strong focus on creativity, innovation, and sustainability.
The role offers the opportunity to collaborate with international teams and contribute to the development of product strategies within a dynamic retail environment.
Role Overview
The Merchandising Specialist will support product buying, allocation, and sales analysis activities. This position works closely with internal teams including retail operations, visual merchandising, and global headquarters to ensure effective product planning, inventory management, and store performance.
Key Responsibilities
Merchandising & Product Planning
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Support the planning and management of product shipments and purchasing activities.
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Assist in managing annual merchandise budgets and buying plans.
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Coordinate product allocation to retail stores based on demand and performance.
Sales Analysis & Inventory Management
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Monitor and analyze sales trends across stores and product categories.
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Track inventory levels and sales data to ensure optimal stock management.
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Follow up on product performance and recommend adjustments when necessary.
Collaboration & Event Support
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Prepare materials and presentations for product collections used in internal meetings, trunk shows, and customer events.
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Work closely with merchandising and retail teams to support promotional activities.
Store & Market Engagement
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Visit retail locations to understand customer preferences and build relationships with store staff.
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Monitor product performance and identify emerging trends within stores.
Market Research
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Conduct market research and competitor analysis to gather insights on industry trends.
Global Coordination
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Maintain communication and collaboration with international headquarters regarding product planning and merchandising activities.
Required Qualifications
Experience
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Minimum 3 years of experience in merchandising or related roles such as merchandising assistant, buyer, or allocator.
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Experience in the retail or fashion industry is preferred.
Skills
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Strong analytical and numerical skills with the ability to interpret sales data.
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Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general PC applications.
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Strong organizational and coordination abilities.
Language
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Business-level Japanese and English (English used frequently for communication with global teams).
Education
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Diploma, vocational school, or university degree in a related field.
Eligibility
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Must have valid authorization to work in Japan.
Working Conditions
Schedule
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Weekday working hours with a flexible work arrangement available.
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Standard weekends and public holidays off.
Compensation & Benefits
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Competitive salary within the stated range depending on experience.
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Performance-based bonuses may be provided in addition to base salary.