Senior Buyer - Gifts & Accessories

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 3–6 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 décor, 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 lifecycle—from 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

• 10–15 years of experience in buying, merchandising, or category management—preferably 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.