Position Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a high‑calibre commercial leader to join our UK & I Sales team as Head of Merchandising. In this pivotal role, you will provide key support to the General Manager (GM) contributing to the overall UK strategy and performance while leading the development of our 5 year plan. You will be responsible for unlocking strategic growth initiatives through deep customer insight and market trends, owning the end‑to‑end dropship model, and driving commercial success across wholesale channels and connecting with retail.
*The role is based at our London Showroom, and the expectation is 4 days in the office and 1 day of home‑working*.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Commercial Leadership
* Key support to GM, contributing to overall UK strategy and performance.
* Lead the development of the 5‑year plan, aligning with UK objectives set by GM.
* Identify and unlock strategic growth initiatives based on performance, customer insight and market trends.
* Own seasonal budgeting and forecasting for wholesale ensuring alignment to financial targets, work with retail merchandiser to align on focus areas, assortments and stock packages and communicate an aligned view of UK market to GM.
* Communicate weekly, monthly, and seasonal wholesale financial performance to senior leadership. Align with retail merch to ensure a holistic view is given to GM.
* Maintain strong understanding of market dynamics, consumer trends, and competitive landscape.
Account Management Dropship
* Senior lead on key strategic account, supporting relationship management, trade performance and growth plans.
* Own and develop the dropship model end‑to‑end:
o Forecasting and stock planning
o Assortment definition by account
o Performance tracking and optimisation
* Identify opportunities across channels (wholesale, dropship) to drive incremental sales.
* Ensure alignment between account strategy, merchandising plans, and operational execution.
Stock Management & Core Business Optimisation
* Own UK core forecasting in collaboration with forecasting teams.
* Provide clear visibility on core stock turn, risks and opportunities across key partners.
* Drive in‑season trade initiatives to optimise stock position and maximise sell‑through.
* Ensure effective inventory management across forward order, in‑season, and dropship channels.
* Collaborate cross‑functionally (Sales, Forecasting, Logistics) to ensure stock supports commercial targets.
Assortment & Range Planning
* Define and align option count frameworks based on sell‑in and sell‑out performance and feedback to design and forecasting.
* Lead post‑season analysis to inform future range development (option counts, pricing architecture, margin).
* Assortment planning across key accounts and channels, including dropship along with retail merchandiser.
* Conduct seasonal pricing and margin analysis to support profitability targets.
* Partner with Sales, Marketing and Product teams to ensure ranges meet customer and market needs.
Process, Data & Systems Leadership
* Lead reporting and analysis of sell‑out performance across majors and independents and align on headlines with retail merchandiser and communicate to GM and Heads of Sales/Retail/Design.
* Generate actionable insights to inform trading decisions and strategic direction.
* Own and evolve wholesale processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness across teams.
* Act as key stakeholder in critical path management, ensuring cross‑functional alignment and on‑time delivery.
* Lead system and process enhancements, including ownership of key projects (e.g. NuOrder integration into M3).
* Develop and track KPIs to evaluate merchandising performance and inform decision‑making.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Ways of Working
* Drive alignment across Sales, Merchandising, Retail, Forecasting, Marketing and Logistics.
* Ensure clear communication of performance, risks and opportunities across all stakeholders.
* Embed consistent ways of working that improve decision‑making, speed and accountability.
* Support a culture of data‑led trading and continuous improvement.
Skills and Experience
* Highly numerate and data‑driven, with the ability to translate complex data into clear commercial insights, forecasts and actionable strategies.
* Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen, capable of shaping long‑term plans while optimising in‑season performance to deliver sustainable growth and profitability.
* Exceptional cross‑functional leadership, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders across Sales, Finance, Product, Marketing and Logistics to deliver end‑to‑end outcomes.
* Strong ownership and accountability, with a proven track record of delivering financial targets through proactive decision‑making and risk/opportunity management.
* Advanced planning and organisational capability, able to manage multiple trading cycles, critical paths and strategic projects in a fast‑paced environment.
* People leader and team builder, experienced in developing high‑performing teams, setting clear direction and embedding ways of working that drive performance.
* Confident communicator and negotiator, able to manage senior external partners and internal stakeholders to unlock commercial opportunities.
* Digitally and operationally aware, with experience across ecommerce, dropship, and evolving wholesale models, and a mindset for continuous improvement and innovation.
Benefits
* Discretionary Company Bonus Scheme
* Staff Discount
* Sample Sale
* Healthcare Cash Plan
* 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
* Access to training and development activities to support your career development
* Operate hybrid & flexible working
* 4pm finish on a Friday
* Wellbeing support
* Refer a friend bonus scheme
* Reward & Recognition Program
* Length of service rewards
Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applicants are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.
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