At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the merchandising process, from sales forecasting to supplier management.
- Company: Join an innovative consumer brand with a strong commitment to creativity and growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a forward-thinking team that values innovation and creative freedom.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in merchandising, leadership experience, and strong analytical skills required.
- Other info: Work closely with C Suite and have a direct impact on product availability and profitability.
The predicted salary is between 46800 - 78000 £ per year.
We’re thrilled to continue partnership with this innovative consumer brand, known for its strong brand message and commitment to creativity. This is a brilliant opportunity to join a forward-thinking team as a Senior Merchandiser/ Senior Merchandising Manager and play a key role in driving the next phase of growth. They hold an exceptional reputation in the market for their brand message as well as for fostering an environment that encourages innovation and creative freedom. You’ll report into the C Suite/ board, supported by the wider Buying and Marketing team.
Your focus will be on shaping the full merchandising lifecycle from sales forecasting and inventory planning to supplier relationship management and freight coordination. Your insights and decisions will directly influence product availability, stock efficiency and overall profitability.
Key responsibilities for this role include:- Strategic Planning & Forecasting: Lead the end-to-end merchandising process from analysis of sales trends and stock levels to informing accurate forecasting and drive data-led decisions. Identify risks and opportunities in-season and propose appropriate trading actions.
- Stock Management: Maintain optimal stock levels through effective planning, re-buying and clearance strategies. Ensure timely delivery and availability of products to meet customer and market demand.
- Range Planning: Partner with the buying team to build balanced, data-backed product ranges that align with commercial objectives and seasonal trends.
- Promotions and Pricing: Support planning and execution of pricing strategies, promotions and markdowns to drive performance and manage sell-through. Forecast and deliver gross sales margins in line with budget.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilise advanced analytics and forecasting tools to monitor sales trends, stock levels and promotional effectiveness, driving informed decision-making.
- Supply Chain Co-ordination: Oversee end-to-end order management, including raising POs, managing lead times and coordinating inbound shipments with suppliers and freight forwarders.
- Supplier Management: Foster and maintain strong relationships with UK and FE suppliers, ensuring clear communication, timely deliveries and resolution of any supply issues.
- Performance Reporting: Prepare weekly, in-season and end-of-season reports to support trading decisions. Provide insight to key stakeholders on trading performance and stock health.
- Budget Management: Work within defined OTB budgets and deliver accurate forecasts and re-forecasting as needed.
What I’m looking to see from a candidate's CV/profile:
- 7+ years' experience in a merchandising role, ideally within an ecommerce environment.
- In a leadership role.
- Proven track record managing multi-million-pound budgets.
- Experience with direct supplier relationships, including international freight and logistics.
- Proficiency in managing the full purchase order lifecycle and working to tight deadlines.
- Highly analytical with advanced Excel skills and experience using ERP systems.
- Commercially focused with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Locations
Senior Merchandise Manager employer: Better Placed Ltd - A Sunday Times Top 10 Employer!
Contact Detail:
Better Placed Ltd - A Sunday Times Top 10 Employer! Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Merchandise Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the merchandising and e-commerce sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential colleagues or mentors who can provide insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in merchandising and data analytics tools. Being well-versed in these areas will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed stock levels and supplier relationships in previous roles. This will showcase your hands-on experience and ability to drive results in a similar environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company's brand message and recent initiatives. Understanding their values and goals will help you align your responses during interviews, showing that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Merchandise Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 7+ years of experience in merchandising, particularly in e-commerce. Emphasise any leadership roles and your track record with multi-million-pound budgets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage supplier relationships and your proficiency in data-driven decision-making.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Highlight your advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems. Provide examples of how you've used analytics to drive sales trends and stock management in previous roles.
Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your strategic planning and forecasting experience. Prepare examples of how you've identified risks and opportunities in-season and the actions you took to address them.
How to prepare for a job interview at Better Placed Ltd - A Sunday Times Top 10 Employer!
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Senior Merchandise Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to analyse sales trends and stock levels. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles, especially in forecasting and inventory planning.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Experience
This role requires strong leadership skills, so make sure to share your experiences managing teams and budgets. Discuss how you've successfully led projects or initiatives that resulted in improved performance or efficiency.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare for scenarios where you might need to identify risks and opportunities in-season, and think about how you would propose trading actions based on those insights.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since you'll be reporting to the C Suite and working with various stakeholders, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, and be ready to discuss how you've managed supplier relationships effectively.