Job Title: Director of Merchandise Planning

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

TP-SLC-7602

Founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1985, Sherlock Clothing has grown into a dynamic national retailer with 52 locations across Canada, including Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. With its flagship brands, Envy + Grace and PSEUDIO, the company is renowned for offering fashion-forward apparel that blends the latest trends with a tailored approach to local customer preferences. As Sherlock Clothing continues its strategic expansion, the company remains dedicated to delivering exceptional style and quality while fostering strong connections with the communities it serves.

Meridia is happy to partner with Sherlock Clothing to recruit a talented Director of Merchandise Planning to enhance the retail experience and drive sales through innovative merchandising strategies.

Role Description

The Director of Merchandise Planning will play a key role in driving Sherlock Clothing's success by developing and executing strategic merchandising initiatives that align with the company's brand identity and market objectives. This leadership position requires a creative and analytical professional with a deep understanding of retail dynamics and exceptional organizational skills. Responsible for planning, product selection, and vendor negotiations, the Director will leverage market insights and consumer trends to create compelling product assortments that resonate with customers and maximize profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement merchandising strategies that reflect Sherlock's brand identity, achieve business goals, and stay ahead of market trends.
• Drive the selection of top-performing products while negotiating advantageous vendor agreements.
• Manage assortment planning and create customized buy plans that balance margins, costs, stock levels, and unique customer preferences for each location.
• Leverage sales reports, data analytics, and consumer trends to uncover opportunities and deliver actionable recommendations that boost profit margins.
• Transform market intelligence into appealing product selections that captivate the company's target audience.
• Monitor and manage sales performance, inventory levels, and product life cycles to enhance turnover, markdown strategies, and overall efficiency.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a skilled team of professional buyers to achieve exceptional results.
• Manage critical timelines to guarantee the timely implementation of merchandising initiatives and strategies.
• Identify and onboard new suppliers that align with the brand, broadening product offerings and fueling business growth.

Your Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, with the ability to inspire and mentor a team while fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential to effectively present ideas, influence stakeholders, and build strong vendor relationships. A creative thinker with a solutions-focused mindset, the candidate should be adaptable, able to navigate challenges in a fast-paced retail environment, and adept at balancing strategic vision with attention to detail. Strong time management and organizational skills are critical, ensuring the seamless execution of multiple projects and initiatives. Above all, the ideal candidate will bring a passion for retail fashion and a customer-first approach, ensuring all decisions align with the brand's identity and resonate with its audience.

Your qualifications include:

• 5+ years in merchandise planning, buying, or a related field, with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing and mentoring teams.
• Proven ability to analyze complex data, forecast trends, and develop strategies that optimize sales, inventory, and profitability.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial vendor partnerships.
• Deep understanding of retail market dynamics, consumer behavior, and emerging trends to drive effective merchandising decisions.
• Commitment to achieving measurable business outcomes while upholding the company's brand identity and customer focus.

As part of a dynamic and growing company, you'll have the opportunity to shape impactful merchandising strategies, influence product selections, and drive results. Sherlock's collaborative and fast-paced environment fosters creativity, teamwork, and innovation, ensuring your ideas are valued, and your contributions make a real difference.

To express interest in this opportunity please apply online by clicking "Apply Now" below.

For more information contact Thomas Pugh, Partner, at 902-818-4506 and [email protected] or Heather Simmons, Sr. Recruitment Specialist at 902-421-2335 and [email protected], or please apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. If you require accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.

Meridia Recruitment Solutions connects leading organizations with top talent by building strong relationships and creating ideal matches with candidates because we are only successful when you are. We appreciate your interest in this opportunity.

To learn more about Meridia Recruitment Solutions, our job opportunities, and career advice we invite you to explore our site and subscribe for career alerts.