Chief Merchandising Officer | Les Benjamins — Istanbul, Türkiye

LES BENJAMINS is a luxury streetwear brand founded by Bunyamin Aydın in Istanbul. Each product comes with an aesthetic philosophy that translates local stories, deep-rooted cultural influences, and rituals into the craftsmanship of comfort. Bunyamin Aydin embraces exploration by touching into cultural landscapes with a style that manages to defy cliché and, at the same time, fuels the eagerness to discover and rethink the unknown. East now.

We are currently looking for a new team member as “Chief Merchandising Officer”, willing to join us in our Istanbul Les Benjamins HQ. The selected candidate will be reporting to Bunyamin Aydin (Founder & Chief Creative Officer) & Lamia Aydin (VP of Womenswear Design).

Job Summary The Chief Merchandising Officer will be a key leader bridging the gap between design, product, commerce, and marketing at Les Benjamins. This role ensures the brand achieves creative excellence and commercial success by owning the full lifecycle of collections and product drops, from concept to execution. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in menswear and womenswear, including fit, fabric knowledge, and market trends, combined with a strategic mindset to lead cross-departmental collaboration. They will balance analytical and creative thinking, ensuring collections meet commercial goals while staying true to the brand’s DNA. The role also requires openness to emerging movements, global travel, and fostering innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Merchandising

Collaborate with Bunyamin and Lamia to develop seasonal range plans that align with Les Benjamins' creative vision and commercial objectives.
Leverage in-depth menswear and womenswear knowledge to ensure collections meet customer expectations in fit, quality, and style.
Conduct market trend research to identify opportunities and ensure collections reflect current and future movements while maintaining the brand’s identity.
Guide product development with expertise in fabric selection, fit optimization, and pricing strategy.

Buying & Product Allocation

Lead buying efforts for retail, online, and global flagship stores to ensure the right product mix across channels and regions.
Collaborate with planning teams to allocate the right products to the right stores and markets, optimizing inventory levels and sales performance.
Develop strategies for replenishment, markdowns, and end-of-season transitions to maximize sell-through rates and profitability.
Monitor product performance across channels, using data insights to inform adjustments and recommendations.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration & Lifecycle Management

Own the full lifecycle of each collection and product drop, ensuring seamless cross-departmental coordination from design to marketing to retail.
Work closely with the marketing team to introduce products and ensure each collection’s story, features, and selling points are clearly communicated.
Collaborate with marketing to create visual assets, campaigns, and storytelling strategies that align with the product vision.
Contribute to the annual master calendar in collaboration with management and marketing, ensuring strategic alignment of launches and campaigns.

Category Strategy & Expansion

Build and implement product strategies for all sub-divisions, including menswear, womenswear, accessories, leather goods, and new categories.
Identify white spaces in the market and spearhead new product lines that align with the brand’s ethos and revenue goals.
Ensure cohesive and strategic product storytelling across all categories to drive customer engagement and loyalty.

Commercial Goals & Performance

Set and track commercial goals, including revenue, sell-through, and margin targets for collections and categories.
Partner with retail and e-commerce teams to align product offerings with customer demand and market trends.
Develop and execute in-season pricing and promotional strategies to optimize sales and profitability.

Training & Team Alignment

Train and onboard commercial, retail, and marketing teams on new collections, ensuring a deep understanding of product stories and key selling points.
Present seasonal collections and highlights to cross-departmental teams to foster alignment and enthusiasm.

Data-Driven Insights

Use customer feedback and sales performance data to inform product adjustments and future collection planning.
Develop merchandise performance reports and contribute to post-season reviews and strategy sessions.
Monitor competitive landscape and global market trends to keep Les Benjamins ahead of the curve.

Leadership & Future Growth

Lead and mentor the merchandising team, fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and collaboration.
Drive operational efficiency by streamlining workflows and ensuring effective communication across departments.
Set a vision for future growth.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion, Merchandising, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in merchandising, buying, or product development, ideally in the fashion industry.
Proven expertise in menswear and womenswear, with a strong understanding of fit, fabric selection, and customer preferences.
Strong analytical and creative skills, with the ability to balance commercial objectives and design vision.
Openness to new movements and emerging global trends, with a willingness to innovate and experiment.
Experience managing buying for retail, online, and global markets.
Proven ability to align cross-departmental teams around shared goals and timelines.
Exceptional organizational skills, with experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
Availability for global travel to monitor markets, trends, and performance.
Proficiency in MS Excel and retail planning tools; experience with SAP is a plus.

Key Attributes

A strategic thinker with a creative and commercial mindset.
Deep industry knowledge and a strong sense of global trends.
Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
A collaborative leader who thrives in team-driven cultures.

You're welcome to mention that you learned about this role through CALIBRE.