JOB DESCRIPTION
The multi-channel Buying and Merchandising Manager plays a key role in driving the commercial performance of the Needle & Thread collections across all channels including UK and US warehouses, our online business and our UK flagship store on The King's Road.
The role combines strategic buying input with data led merchandising execution, focusing on effective range planning, category development, in-season trading, and stock management. You will balance creative product storytelling with commercial discipline to support brand vision, customer demand, and financial targets.
Working closely with Design, Production, Wholesale, eCommerce, Retail and Marketing teams, you will support the end-to-end merchandising lifecycle – from seasonal planning and category strategy through to in-season trading – ensuring product is well positioned, commercially optimised, and delivered in line with brand and financial objectives.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Merchandising, Buying and Category Strategy
Contribute to the development of seasonal product strategy and category evolution, using performance data, customer insights, and market analysis to shape commercially balanced ranges
Support the creation of regional product strategies, ensuring sensitivity to the UK, US and wholesale market differences
Work closely with Design on the seasonal edit, SKU count and depth allocation by category, ensuring appropriate breadth and depth to maximise sell-through and margin
Work closely with the CFO on financial frameworks and OTB alignment to ensure category plans meet commercial and profitable targets
Assist in maintaining clear pricing and margin architecture across categories
Ensure transparency and clarity of category performance reporting to C-Suite, supporting informed strategic decision-making
Support Production and Supply Chain teams with critical path tracking and delivery management
Trading and Multi-Channel Performance
Manage OTB, sales forecasts, and intake plans across channels in line with agreed budgets
Analyse weekly and seasonal performance, identifying trading risks and opportunities
Support in-season trading actions including re-orders, stock rebalancing, and markdown activity
Ensure optimal stock flow, size curves, and availability to maximise sell-through and margin
Partner with E-commerce and Retail teams to optimise product launches, on-site presentation and in-season performance
Reporting and Analysis
Produce clear weekly and seasonal sales, stock, and intake reports
Track and interpret KPIs including sell-through, margin, stock turn, availability and regional performance
Provide transparent and commercially robust reporting to senior leadership, supporting strategic planning and seasonal hindsight analysis
Use trading insights, customer data, and wholesale performance to inform future range planning and merchandising decisions
Team and Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work collaboratively with Buying and Merchandising colleagues, supporting day-to-day delivery and development
Support junior team members through knowledge-sharing and coaching, where required
Partner closely with Marketing to support key product stories, launches, and campaigns
Liaise with Supply Chain and Production to manage deliveries, stock risks and trading requirements
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Solid experience in a buying and merchandising role within womenswear fashion, with exposure to multi-channel or digital-fist environments
A strong understanding of key digital and retail channels and how they contribute to overall business performance
Commercially and analytically minded, with hands-on experience supporting in-season trading and merchandising decisions in line with wider business strategy
Experience working with eCommerce platforms and analytics tools such as Shopify Plus and Google Analytics
Highly organized with strong planning skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Comfortable working with data to identify risks, opportunities, and actionable insights
Able to work proactively and independently while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams
Experience supporting or managing junior team members is an advantage
Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent attention to detail
Digitally savvy, commercially aware, and confident operating in a dynamic fashion environment