Role Overview
We're looking for a seasoned Buyer & Merchandiser to lead the Gifts & Accessories category at IGP.com. This role is ideal for someone who combines sharp business acumen with deep category knowledge and a strong sense of consumer trends. You'll drive the growth and profitability of a key vertical by owning end-to-end buying, international sourcing, vendor development, and product curation, build and scale product lines across platforms, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy & Planning
- Own the P&L for Gifts & Accessories, driving revenue growth, gross margin improvement, and portfolio expansion.
- Build a 36 month roadmap aligned with IGP's brand goals, seasonality, and emerging consumer trends.
- Plan seasonal calendars and buying budgets in sync with forecasted demand and promotional cycles.
- Identify product gaps and new opportunities across lifestyle, home dcor, personalized gifts, and fashion accessories.
- Align assortment strategies with key occasions (Diwali, Rakhi, Valentine's Day, etc.) and international events.
Buying & Merchandising
- Lead the complete buying lifecyclefrom product discovery and evaluation to price negotiation, PO management, and catalogue go-live.
- Curate differentiated collections in line with IGP's brand DNA and consumer expectations.
- Ensure timely product development and reordering through efficient vendor coordination and timeline management.
- Work closely with design and marketing teams on catalogue themes, influencer drops, and gifting campaigns.
- Optimize listing quality (titles, images, attributes) for better discoverability and conversion.
International & China Sourcing
- Develop and manage supplier networks in China and other key sourcing hubs for cost-efficient, quality-driven procurement.
- Coordinate with international suppliers on MOQs, lead times, compliance, and shipping schedules.
- Visit trade fairs (e.g., Canton Fair, Global Sources) and maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging product trends and supplier innovations.
- Collaborate with legal and logistics teams for smooth customs clearance and import documentation.
- Balance import-led sourcing with domestic vendor development to ensure agility and cost competitiveness.
Vendor Development & Relationship Management
- Build a reliable ecosystem of vendors including domestic manufacturers, international suppliers, artisans, and white-label partners.
- Negotiate contracts, payment terms, SLAs, and pricing to drive better margins and operational efficiency.
- Introduce private label SKUs and exclusive collaborations to enhance brand differentiation.
- Regularly audit supplier performance across quality, delivery timelines, and compliance metrics.
Analytics & Performance Management
- Monitor key metrics: revenue, margins, inventory turns, sell-through, and returns.
- Leverage data to refine buying strategies, reduce dead stock, and increase category velocity.
- Generate actionable dashboards and MIS reports for leadership reviews and planning.
- Use consumer behavior insights to guide assortment planning and promotional campaigns.
Team & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead and mentor a small team of category buyers and merchandisers.
- Foster strong collaboration with marketing, design, tech, logistics, and customer experience teams.
- Champion digital tools and platforms to automate workflows and improve buying efficiency.
- Drive process excellence, SOP standardization, and vendor onboarding digitization.
Must-Have Skills & Experience
- 1015 years of experience in buying, merchandising, or category managementpreferably in e-commerce, lifestyle retail, or gifting.
- Proven track record of managing a high-growth category (?100 Cr+ revenue).
- Strong sourcing and negotiation experience with China and international markets/vendors.
- Deep understanding of e-commerce merchandising, product curation, and consumer trends.
- Hands-on experience with dropshipping, private label development, or multi-vendor ecosystems.
Core Competencies
- Commercially driven with a strong eye for detail and product sensibility.
- Excellent negotiation and vendor management skills.
- High proficiency in Excel, reporting tools, and ERP systems.
- Strong communication and team leadership abilities.
- Trend awareness in lifestyle, home, fashion accessories, and gifting.
Educational Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Commerce, or related field is required.
- MBA/PGDM in Marketing, Retail, or Supply Chain preferred.
Success Metrics
- Year-on-Year growth in revenue and contribution margins for Gifts & Accessories.
- Successful onboarding of China-based and global suppliers.
- Faster go-to-market timelines and reduced procurement lead times.
- Launch of private label ranges and exclusive collections.
- Higher assortment freshness and customer engagement rates.
