Vice President, General Merchandise Manager

About the role

The Vice President, General Merchandise Manager will lead merchandising, category management, planning, vendor partnership and commercial buying strategy across all major retail categories in a luxury airport environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead overall merchandising strategy across major categories, setting commercial plans, assortments and financial targets.
• Manage, coach and develop Divisional Merchandise Managers, buyers and category teams (≈15 staff).
• Oversee category strategies for Fashion, Sunglasses & Jewelry, Beauty, Liquor, Tobacco, Confectionery, Food & Gifts, tailoring assortments to airport traveler profiles and duty‑free dynamics.
• Direct planning functions including open‑to‑buy, forecasting, order placement, replenishment, allocation and inventory productivity.
• Partner with planning to improve sell‑through, stock availability, inventory turns, aged inventory, gross‑margin return on inventory and working‑capital efficiency.
• Establish disciplined review processes for sales trends, category performance, vendor productivity, promotional effectiveness and inventory risk.
• Lead senior‑level negotiations with brand partners and vendors to improve margin, rebates, payment terms, logistics, staffing, marketing support and exclusive product launches.
• Provide commercial input to space planning, brand placement, category adjacencies, store concepts and location strategy, and evaluate new category opportunities and pop‑up concepts.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in merchandising, category management and commercial buying within a luxury airport or travel‑retail environment.
• Track record of driving sales, margin, inventory productivity and long‑term category growth.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of approximately 15 people, including Divisional Merchandise Managers and buyers.
• Strong vendor partnership and negotiation capabilities with major brand partners.
• Ability to develop and execute commercial plans, assortment strategies and space‑planning concepts.

Required skills