AVP - Buying & Merchandising (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.