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- Tasks: Lead the Home & Gift merchandising team, driving strategy and maximising sales.
- Company: Join Oliver Bonas, a vibrant brand known for its design-led home and gift products.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 50% employee discount, flexible holidays, and access to wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun, collaborative culture that values creativity and innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising with strong analytical skills and a passion for design.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive environment focused on personal development.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Head of Merchandising to join Team OB in our Home & Gift team. As the Head of Merchandising for Home & Gift, you will collaborate with other department heads to contribute to the overall company strategy. You will define and execute a merchandising strategy that enhances our Home & Gift category, ensuring alignment with brand identity, commercial success, and sustainable growth. You will have a deep passion for design-led home and gifting products, pushing boundaries to curate collections that are both innovative and commercially viable. Your role is to maximize sales and profitability, manage stock efficiently, and drive category growth through strategic planning and trend awareness. You will lead, inspire, and develop the Home & Gift Merchandising team while being hands-on when necessary to shape the future of the department and continued growth.
Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week.
More about the role
- Collaborate with the Head of Home & Gift Buying and Head of Design to develop a product strategy that aligns with business objectives and financial targets.
- Provide commercial direction to the Home & Gift Buying & Merchandising teams, identifying risks and opportunities across all channels.
- Work closely with the Head of Fashion Merchandising to develop and implement cross department strategy to achieve the business objectives and financial targets.
- Define and utilize a trading calendar to maximize opportunities for seasonal, occasion-based, and year-round growth.
- Conduct regular competitor analysis to assess market trends, pricing strategies, and product innovations.
- Identify opportunities to elevate the brand through innovative product assortments, and challenging current layout and grading.
- Work with product teams to ensure collections are commercially viable while staying true to OB's design-led ethos.
- Encourage fast reactions to trends and trading opportunities, ensuring agility in decision-making.
- Manage markdowns and promotions to minimize terminal stock and maximize profitability.
- Work cross-functionally to enhance sustainability credentials while maintaining commercial viability.
- Investigate digital tools and systems to optimize internal processes and enhance data-driven decision-making.
- Lead by example, embodying company values of Work Hard, Play Hard, and Be Kind.
- Lead the Branch Merchandising team and support in their management and development.
- Inspire, mentor, and develop the Home & Gift Merchandising team, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
- Coach team members through feedback, progress chats, and appraisals, ensuring personal and professional development.
- Share all relevant company meeting information including the overall strategy with the team to ensure they understand their own contribution to this.
- Work closely with VM and E-commerce teams to optimize in-store and online product presentation.
- Partner with Logistics and Warehousing teams to ensure efficient stock flow and mitigate risks.
- Collaborate with IT and the Data Team to review current systems and processes to ensure future growth of the business reporting requirements.
- Assist the finance team in setting annual budgets and reviewing trade performance.
- Collaborate with marketing to align storytelling and promotions with customer lifestyle trends.
Bonas Benefits:
- Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products
- Free access to our 24 hour employee assistance programme with Care First – offering financial, emotional and vocational support
- Flexible holiday – 33 days (including bank holidays) – increasing to 35 days with length of service
- Annual discretionary profit related bonus scheme
- Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical
- Free access to our onsite gym
- Cycle to work scheme
- Quarterly free lunch
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team
- Mental Health First Aider support
- Education and support throughout Looop eLearning platform
What we look for:
- Proven experience in merchandising at Manager or Head of Department level, preferably within the Home & Gift sector.
- Strong analytical and numerical skills with experience in financial planning and stock management.
- Passion for OB’s brand and a keen eye for design-led products.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to take calculated risks.
- Adaptable, solution-focused, and able to work under pressure.
- Deep understanding of the OB customer and their lifestyle needs.
- Creative yet commercial eye.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OB
At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included and most importantly, can be themselves at work. It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role; however, we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities. Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme.
Head of Merchandising - Home & Gift Oliver Bonas Chessington Competitive Salary plus Benefits employer: Oliver Bonas Limited
Contact Detail:
Oliver Bonas Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Merchandising - Home & Gift Oliver Bonas Chessington Competitive Salary plus Benefits
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Oliver Bonas' brand identity and values. Understanding their 'Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind' ethos will help you align your approach and demonstrate how you can contribute to their culture during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current trends in the home and gift sector. Being able to discuss recent innovations or successful merchandising strategies from competitors will show your passion and knowledge during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the merchandising field, especially those who have experience in home and gift sectors. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights and potentially lead to referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to showcase your leadership style and how you inspire teams. Since the role involves mentoring and developing a team, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team through challenges or changes.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Merchandising - Home & Gift Oliver Bonas Chessington Competitive Salary plus Benefits
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in merchandising, particularly within the Home & Gift sector. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills, leadership abilities, and passion for design-led products.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your understanding of Oliver Bonas' brand values and how you align with them. Discuss your vision for the Home & Gift category and how you plan to drive sales and profitability while maintaining the brand's ethos.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've successfully managed stock and financial planning in previous roles. Highlight any tools or systems you've used to optimise processes and make data-driven decisions.
Demonstrate Leadership Experience: Emphasise your experience in leading teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Include specific instances where you've mentored team members or contributed to their professional development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oliver Bonas Limited
✨Show Your Passion for Design
As the Head of Merchandising, a deep passion for design-led home and gifting products is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your favourite collections and how they align with Oliver Bonas's ethos. Share examples of how you've pushed boundaries in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
This role requires a strong ability to define and execute merchandising strategies. Prepare to discuss your experience with strategic planning, including how you've identified market trends and opportunities in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your analytical skills.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
You'll be leading and inspiring a team, so it's important to showcase your leadership style. Think about times when you've successfully developed team members or fostered a collaborative environment. Be ready to share your approach to mentoring and coaching.
✨Align with Company Values
Oliver Bonas values collaboration, imagination, and kindness. During the interview, reflect on how these values resonate with you. Share experiences that demonstrate your ability to work well in a team and your commitment to creating a positive workplace culture.
