OluKai Manager of Retail Buying & Merchandising

OluKai Manager of Retail Buying & Merchandising

Who We Are:

Archipelago Companies, a portfolio of highly successful consumer lifestyle brands, is seeking a talented and passionate individual with an entrepreneurial mindset to join our team. Our brands, including OluKai, Kaenon, Melin, Roark, are leaders in their respective markets, offering high-quality products and authentic marketing stories direct to consumers. At Archipelago Companies, we pride ourselves on our commitment to integrity, and we strive to create a culture of excellence in everything we do. If you are a driven and innovative individual with a passion for consumer brands, we invite you to apply for our open position and become a part of our dynamic and growing team.

Role Overview

The OluKai Manager of Retail Buying & Merchandising will play a critical role in optimizing inventory, planning, and merchandising strategies for all owned retail stores. This role is responsible for buying, planning, allocating, and merchandising inventory (footwear & third-party goods) across the retail fleet, ensuring that every store is equipped to meet consumer demand while delivering an exceptional shopping experience. Additionally, this leader will work closely with marketing, creative, and store teams to execute seasonal floor plans and in-store marketing programs.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Planning & Allocation:

· Develop annual inventory plans for all retail stores, broken down into weekly inventory needs, based on region, store capacity and sales forecasts.

· Analyze historical, omnichannel, and store-specific sales data to identify trends, optimize assortments, and support product launches.

· Plan and execute inventory allocations to each retail store, ensuring stock levels align with consumer demand and marketing initiatives.

· Collaborate with fulfillment teams and store managers to schedule and manage inventory deliveries effectively.

· Manage ongoing replenishment process, adjusting for sell-thru velocities, seasonality or other relevant inputs to ensure retail stores are consistently at optimal inventory levels.

· Plan and manage regular inventory counts, process returns as necessary.

Buying & Merchandising:

· Own the retail buying process, ensuring alignment with the product line, go-to-market calendar, and key consumer demand moments. Optimize third-party buying, planning, and assortment to fit the premium focus of OluKai.

· Determine key launches, volume drivers, and SKU rationalization strategies to maximize sales and profitability.

· Partner with marketing, creative, and visual merchandising teams to implement seasonal floor merchandising plans, in-store marketing programs, and campaign rollouts.

· Conduct regular store visits to assess merchandising effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

· Work closely with the product development and omnichannel sales teams to understand the product line and influence future assortments.

· Align with marketing and creative teams to ensure consistency between in-store and external brand messaging.

· Partner with Ecommerce teams to leverage omnichannel insights and ensure a seamless consumer experience.

Data Analysis & Reporting:

· Monitor and analyze store performance metrics, including sell-through rates, inventory turnover, and margin performance.

· Provide actionable insights to the retail and leadership teams to drive continuous improvement.

· Build and maintain dashboards and reports for tracking inventory levels, allocations, and sales trends.

Leadership & Growth:

· Lead the development and scaling of the planning, merchandising, and allocation functions as the business grows.

· Build and manage a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.

Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Merchandising, or a related field.

· 5 years of experience in retail planning, buying, allocation, or merchandising, with a proven track record of success across 10 or more retail stores.

· Strong analytical skills, with expertise in using data to inform decisions and strategies.

· Experience with inventory management systems, planning tools, and ERP platforms.

· In-depth knowledge of product lifecycle management, merchandising principles, and retail operations.

· Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance long-term planning with day-to-day execution.

· Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders.

· A passion for retail, delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business results.

Position Type & Extended Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position in office. Days and hours of work generally are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. On call as necessary for special events. Any required travel is primarily local during the business day with some exceptions from time to time.

Location & Office Structure:

This is an in-office hybrid position, mandatory 4 days per week in office, in Irvine, CA location. Subject to change without notice as per company guidelines.

Benefits and Perks:

· Complimentary chef prepared breakfast and lunch provided Monday - Thursday

· Generous product gift program and all brand discounts

· Growth opportunities within the Archipelago family of brands: OluKai, Kaenon, Melin, Roark

· Company bonus program

· 5 year and 10 year Anniversary gifts to Hawaii and other desirable destinations

· Wellness program, including but not limited to in-office gym and group fitness classes

· Medical, Dental, Vision insurance in accordance with plan guidelines

· Company paid life insurance

· 401k with employer match in accordance with plan guidelines

· 15 Days of PTO plus one additional day of PTO every year on your anniversary and 3 Floating Holidays per year

· Paid beach and giveback days, biannual team building events and other in person celebrations

· Work with talented and great people who share a love of the ocean lifestyle

· Dog friendly office

Archipelago Companies values a diverse, inclusive, and entrepreneurial workforce and culture, and we provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at hr@arch-cos.com. Archipelago will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

Salary : $80,000 - $110,000