Job Summary
We are looking for a strategic and results-driven Merchandising Team Lead to lead our end-to-end merchandising function building a comprehensive portfolio strategy to bridge Korean and U.S. product selection/operations. This role will oversee brand sourcing product strategy category planning campaign execution and cross-border operational support across online and offline stores. The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of both K-beauty and the U.S. beauty market and a proven ability to translate global strategies into high-impact local executions.
What Youll Do
K-Beauty Strategy & Operations
- Collaborate with Korean HQ and U.S. teams to develop and manage a strong K-beauty brand portfolio and product pipeline
- Lead planning and launch of exclusive products for the U.S. market including GWP special kits and gift sets
- Oversee regular purchase orders and local sourcing schedules to ensure timely product availability
- Plan and execute merchandising campaigns in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
- Report on performance metrics of key MD campaigns
eCommerce Strategy & Operations
- Serve as liaison between HQ and U.S. MD teams to establish effective communication and collaboration
- Support regulatory processes including MoCRA compliance and inbound logistics workflows
- Assist in building local e-commerce capabilities including localized UI/UX and functionality improvements
- Collaborate with HQ local/global merchandising teams on new brand onboarding
MD Management & Reporting
- Develop and execute localized MD strategies aligned with global brand direction across offline and digital channels
- Identify new growth drivers through trend spotting and market segmentation
- Analyze sales data by channel and store to generate actionable insights
- Track evaluate and optimize performance of merchandising and marketing campaigns
- Support business development initiatives including strategic partnership sourcing
Store Openings & Retail Operations
- Lead end-to-end planning for new store openings including POG setup and in-store display coordination
- Optimize in-store experiences with localized product offerings and service innovation
- Facilitate collaboration across HQ and local departments to ensure smooth operations
Brand Sourcing & Management
- Curate and maintain a local brand pool aligned with our companys MD identity and market trends
- Lead outreach pitching and onboarding processes for new brand partners
- Oversee inventory planning and order cycles for local brands
- Monitor brand performance and co-plan promotions to drive growth
- Build and nurture long-term relationships with key industry stakeholders
Promotion Planning & Execution
- Design market-relevant promotional strategies using both global and local IPs
- Collaborate with brands and marketing teams on co-branded campaigns
- Adjust promotional strategies based on market trends and consumer behavior
- Align product and marketing launches with seasonal events and brand activations
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Business Marketing Merchandising or related field
- 10 years of merchandising buying or category management experience in the beauty or retail industry
- Strong knowledge of both Korean and U.S. beauty markets
- Demonstrated experience in product sourcing vendor management and campaign execution
- Strong analytical leadership and communication skills
- Experience working in a cross-functional fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in end-to-end category management with strong executive communication capabilities is preferred
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Korean is desirable but not required.
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel Powerpoint and Word