Hermès Assistant Merchandise Manager
Hermès Australia seeks an Assistant Merchandise Manager in Sydney (14-month contract) to manage assortment, open-to-buy and inventory performance.
Overview
Hermès is a family-owned French luxury house renowned for artisanal craftsmanship, exceptional materials and a curated approach to product creation and retail. Operating globally through regional subsidiaries such as Hermès Australia Pty Ltd, the brand combines creative autonomy with a long-standing heritage of savoir-faire and selective international expansion.
Role & Responsibilities
- Develop and execute open-to-buy budgets, allocation plans and category-specific merchandise selection strategies for assigned boutiques.
- Forecast sales and stock requirements for new launches and carryover lines; prepare in-season and post-season performance analysis to optimise assortment and inventory levels.
- Manage open-to-buy accounts in collaboration with buyers, synthesise buying results and present post-buy findings to senior management.
- Monitor monthly sales and inventory metrics; drive sell-through for seasonal and permanent collections and implement remedial action plans to improve performance.
- Define and maintain min-max levels for permanent stock and oversee automatic replenishment rules to ensure continuity of supply.
- Co-ordinate with customer service, retail planning, logistics and inventory teams to facilitate product supply for launches, store openings and ongoing operations.
- Provide qualitative trend analysis and CRM-derived customer insights to inform short- and long-term buying and assortment decisions.
- Collaborate with regional and international teams on cross-functional projects and ensure alignment between office strategy and boutique execution.
- Implement strategies to minimise aged stock and manage exit strategies for slow-moving items.
- Contribute to annual budgeting, reforecasting and business planning processes aligned with financial objectives.
Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of merchandise planning, buying or allocation experience; demonstrable experience within fashion or luxury retail advantageous.
- Tertiary qualification in Business, Marketing, Fashion, Merchandising or a related discipline preferred.
- Advanced numerical and analytical capability with proven Excel proficiency.
- Strong commercial acumen and understanding of luxury consumer behaviour.
- Proven negotiation, communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Eligible to work full-time in Australia (full working rights required).
Skills
Experience
Minimum three years' hands-on experience in merchandise planning, allocation or buying, preferably within the luxury or fashion sectors; experience working with boutique networks and cross-functional commercial teams is highly desirable.
Education
Tertiary qualification in Business, Marketing, Fashion, Merchandising or a related field preferred.
Workplace
This position is based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Cerulean lists 104 open roles in Sydney, including 2 posted recently. The broader New South Wales area accounts for 112 active listings on Cerulean, 3 of which are new. In Australia as a whole, Cerulean currently features 188 open positions, with 7 posted this week.
Culture
Hermès fosters a culture rooted in craftsmanship, creative autonomy and meticulous attention to detail. The workplace emphasises long-term brand stewardship, collaborative cross-functional working and respect for artisanal values across commercial and retail operations.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.