Associate Buying Manager - UGG Retail at Deckers Brands in Shanghai

Job description

This role is responsible for pre-season assortment and in-season sales performance management for DTC Retail channels (DTC FP & DTC Outlet): • Own channel-specific assortment strategy and product mix, including exclusive styles and key looks by store tier • Maximize in-season performance and product gross margin through active monitoring, assortment optimization, and cross-functional action on risks and opportunities 30% DTC Retail Channel Strategy, Assortment Ownership, and Merchandising Execution • Provide DTC retail channel-specific insights (consumer trends, performance, competition) to shape merchandising buying strategy • Own assortment planning and product mix by DTC retail channel, ensuring clear architecture across category, price ladder, and lifecycle • Define channel-exclusive styles and key items to support differentiation and brand heat • Develop key looks (head-to-toe outfits) by store tier to elevate product storytelling and retail execution • Translate China range into commercially viable assortment for DTC Retail channel • Own discount planning, ensuring alignment with sell-through and inventory strategy • Drive gross margin (GM) and profit management, balancing full-price sell-through, markdown strategy, and brand positioning • Ensure alignment between assortment decisions, pricing strategy, discount plan, and financial targets 50% In-season Performance & Agile Optimization • Monitor in-season product performance (sell-through, margin, weeks of supply) across DTC Retail channels • Adjust assortment dynamically based on sell-through trends and consumer response • Identify key winners and risks, and drive timely actions (chase, exit, rebalance) • Continuously optimize full-price sell-through and markdown efficiency to protect profitability • Proactively identify slow-moving products and structural risks • Define and lead discount strategy and markdown actions to clear inventory while protecting brand value • Align closely with CM / Sales / Planning teams on execution of promotion and liquidation plans • Ensure healthy lifecycle management across full-price and markdown phases 20% Cross-functional Collaboration • Act as the key bridge between Finance, Merchandising, Planning, Sales, and Marketing • Ensure end-to-end alignment from assortment strategy to sales execution • Provide actionable inputs to: - Marketing/VM → storytelling and campaign focus