Abhishek Kumar
Dubai
Summary
Results-oriented retail and brand management professional with 15+ years’ experience across buying, product development, merchandising, and strategic brand management. Proven record in driving growth, leading teams, developing new markets, and launching successful campaigns for leading global apparel brands. Skilled in cross-functional collaboration, data-driven strategy, and building strong vendor relationships for optimal business outcomes.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Manager Buying & Merchandising
Levi’s
2024.12 - Current
- Own and drive Levi’s brand strategy, ensuring consistency and market leadership across GCC channels.
- Lead annual marketing calendar including 360 activations, digital, PR, and in-store campaigns.
- Conduct market research and leverage consumer insights for innovative product launches.
- Manage cross-functional teams, nurturing high-performance culture and coaching.
- Oversee regional budgets, KPIs, and ensure ROI across brand initiatives.
- Forge partnerships with retail, franchise, and wholesale stakeholders.
Buying Manager
Beverly Hills Polo Club
2023.01 - 2024.12
- Led buying teams for mens, ladies, and kids’ merchandise across 135 stores in GCC (OTB $24M).
- Developed core assortment strategies and launched new product lines; improved sell-through by 10%.
- Expanded vendor base, optimized payment terms and sourcing efficiency.
- Delivered 25% YoY e-commerce sales growth and expanded wholesale business.
Senior Buyer
JVCO
2021.01 - 2022.12
- Managed sourcing and developed 10,000+ styles for kids and menswear.
- Achieved Best Employee Recognition (2021) for impactful strategies and vendor negotiations.
Buyer
Beverly Hills Polo Club
2016.01 - 2021.01
- Managed seasonal budgets, margin planning, and sourcing strategies.
- Implemented promotional strategies to drive sales and profitability.
Buyer
LC Waikiki
2014.05 - 2016.07
- Conducted merchandise planning, budgeting, pricing, and discount strategies.
- Performed regional trend analysis to guide assortment decisions.
Merchandiser – Kidswear
Max Retail LLC
2011.01 - 2014.04
Merchandiser – Quality Assurance
Atraco Enterprises
2009.10 - 2011.01
Assistant Merchandiser
Mallcom Company Ltd
2009.01 - 2009.09
Education
Bachelor of Fashion Technology - Apparel Production
National Institute of Fashion Technology
01.2009
Skills
- Leadership & Team Building
- Brand Strategy & Marketing
- Budgeting & Analytics
- Negotiation & Vendor Management
- Product Merchandising & Assortment Planning
- E-Commerce Growth & Digital Marketing
Certification
DATA SCIENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING: MAKING DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS - March 2024
MIT Schwarzman College of Computing
Timeline
Manager Buying & Merchandising
Levi’s
2024.12 - Current
Buying Manager
Beverly Hills Polo Club
2023.01 - 2024.12
Senior Buyer
JVCO
2021.01 - 2022.12
Buyer
Beverly Hills Polo Club
2016.01 - 2021.01
Buyer
LC Waikiki
2014.05 - 2016.07
Merchandiser – Kidswear
Max Retail LLC
2011.01 - 2014.04
Merchandiser – Quality Assurance
Atraco Enterprises
2009.10 - 2011.01
Assistant Merchandiser
Mallcom Company Ltd
2009.01 - 2009.09
Bachelor of Fashion Technology - Apparel Production
National Institute of Fashion Technology
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Best Employee of the Year – Apparel Group (2021)
- Multinational stakeholder management and cross-cultural experience