Head of Merchandising

Head of Merchandising

Location: London

Reporting to: Commercial Director

Brands: The Diamond Factory

We are a fast-growing fine jewellery retailer specialising in made-to-order, ethically sourced pieces that combine timeless design with custom craftsmanship. As we scale, we are investing in building a robust merchandising function to bring greater structure, insight, and commercial discipline to our product offering.

This is a pivotal leadership role with high visibility and impact across the business.

About the Role

As the Head of Merchandising, you will be responsible for establishing and leading the merchandising function from the ground up. This includes defining assortment strategies, leading merchandise planning and pricing, developing reporting capabilities, and building a high-performing team. You will also oversee budgeting and forecasting for merchandise performance, aligning product and financial goals across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Merchandising Leadership
• Build the merchandising function, including tools, processes, and team structure
• Develop and own the product strategy and roadmap, reviewing supplier (buying) options and product design
• Create a structured approach to assortment planning, new product introduction (NPI), and seasonal cadences
• Assortment & Product Planning
• Define and manage product categories, ensuring optimal breadth and depth based on data and insights
• Lead a buying and design team to inform product development through customer, market, and performance insights
• Manage lifecycle of SKUs from launch to discontinuation with clear rationale and analysis
• Monitor and improve margins through smart pricing, upsell strategies, and bundling opportunities
• Analytics & Forecasting
• Own product and sales reporting, forecasting, and performance dashboards
• Develop insights into customer purchasing behaviour to guide stock availability, pricing, and marketing strategies
• Track and analyse customisation trends, diamond/stone preferences, and component costs
• Team Management & Development
• Lead and mentor a high-performing merchandising, buying, and design team as the function scales
• Set clear goals, KPIs, and growth paths for team members
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learning

Requirements

• 7+ years of merchandising experience; jewellery or fashion experience preferable
• Proven ability to lead a merchandising function, excellent communication skills, and stakeholder management
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness and experience in budgeting, forecasting, and range building
• Analytical mindset with strong Excel skills; familiarity with BI tools a plus
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team using initiative
• Passion for product, detail, and delivering an exceptional customer experience

Why Join Us

• Become part of a leading name in the diamond jewelry industry, renowned for excellence and innovation
• Dynamic and collaborative work environment that values creativity and teamwork
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Strong opportunities for professional growth and career development
• Robust medical insurance and Birthday Special Leave to celebrate your special day
• Shape your career and create lasting value in a thriving industry