Prada Head of Merchandising, Men's Ready-to-Wear and Shoes
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Director
- Department
- Merchandising, Buying & Planning
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- Sep 30, 2026
About Prada
Prada is an emblem of Italian sophistication, intellectual design, and cultural modernity, with a heritage dating to 1913 in Milan. As an employer, the House offers professionals the opportunity to contribute to a globally admired luxury group where creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation are pursued with disciplined excellence. Prada values discerning talent across design, retail, operations, digital, and corporate functions, fostering an environment shaped by curiosity, precision, and respect for heritage. Employees are invited to participate in a dynamic international culture that balances artistic vision with commercial rigor, while advancing the brand’s enduring influence in fashion, leather goods, and contemporary luxury.
Prada seeks experienced Head of Merchandising for men's RTW and shoes in Shanghai, overseeing buying, inventory, and retail operations across mainland China.
Role & Responsibilities
- Lead and direct all buying and retail merchandising functions for men's ready-to-wear and shoes across mainland China retail operations
- Participate in master selection during headquarters buying processes and review subsidiary budgets to control assortment breadth and depth
- Analyze sales performance and supervise regional markets to ensure proper stock management, timely replenishment, and seizure of commercial opportunities
- Monitor sell-through metrics, consolidate reorder requests, and communicate regularly with local merchandising teams and headquarters regarding performance against targets
- Oversee in-season stock consolidation and merchandise transfers to optimize inventory turnover across retail locations
- Conduct frequent shop visits throughout the region to provide operational assistance, performance feedback, and strategic guidance
- Coordinate with visual merchandising teams to ensure aesthetic and commercial compliance across all retail environments
- Develop market-specific visual merchandising guidelines in collaboration with headquarters teams and monitor enforcement of brand standards
- Prepare and deliver seasonal product training materials and conduct workshops for sales associates at retail locations
- Identify emerging business opportunities in the China market through in-depth research and continuous market feedback
- Attract, develop, and retain merchandising talent in line with company people management policies and strategic objectives
Qualifications
- Extensive experience in luxury fashion retail merchandising, buying, or inventory management at a regional or national level
- Proven track record leading merchandise teams and managing complex multi-location inventory operations
- Strong understanding of buying processes, seasonal planning, and fashion trend analysis
- Demonstrated expertise in sales performance analysis, sell-through monitoring, and stock optimization
- Fluency in both English and Mandarin Chinese (oral and written)
- In-depth knowledge of the Greater China luxury retail landscape and consumer behavior
- Experience with visual merchandising standards and brand presentation management
- Ability to manage and develop direct reports; strong people leadership skills
Skills
Experience
Minimum 8–10 years in luxury fashion or premium retail merchandising, with at least 3 years in a team leadership or senior merchandising role. Prior experience in the Greater China market, or equivalent expertise in a similarly complex luxury market, is highly valued. Demonstrated success in managing multi-market retail operations, optimizing inventory turnover, and driving sales performance improvements is essential.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Business, Retail Management, or related field. Equivalent professional credentials or demonstrated expertise in luxury retail may substitute for formal academic qualification.
Workplace
This position is based in Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
Culture
Prada fosters a intellectually curious and forward-thinking workplace where heritage craftsmanship, contemporary design, and cultural dialogue intersect. As an employer, it encourages disciplined creativity, cross-functional collaboration, and a refined attention to detail, offering teams the opportunity to contribute to one of luxury fashion’s most influential maisons.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Prada, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Merchandising Director, Men's Division», «Buying and Retail Merchandising Lead», «Men's Category Merchandising Head», «Regional Merchandising Manager, Men's RTW and Footwear», «Merchandise Planning Director, Men's Universe», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.