Merchandising Team Lead

DHD Consulting•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

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

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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
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
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