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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising across eCommerce and wholesale, driving sales and stock performance.
- Company: Fast-growing multi-channel brand with a vibrant team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, 25 days holiday, and a birthday day off.
- Why this job: Make an immediate impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Proven senior merchandising experience, strong commercial acumen, and advanced Excel skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Overview
Head of Merchandising (Maternity Cover) Jan 2026 12 months. We’re a fast-growing, multi-channel brand business, selling direct-to-consumer and via wholesale partners worldwide. We’re looking for an experienced Head of Merchandising to join us on a 12-month maternity cover and keep our trading and stock performance on track.
In this role, you will:
- Lead our merchandising function across eCommerce & wholesale channels
- Deliver seasonal range plans, pricing, and promotions to hit sales and margin targets
- Manage forecasting, WSSI, and stock allocation to optimise sell-through
- Partner with Buying, Marketing, and Sales to deliver impactful product launches and campaigns
- Lead and develop a talented merchandising team
- Work in partnership with CFO & CEO to deliver a strategy which increases profitability in every area of the business
- Improve processes & increase efficiency
You\’ll bring:
- Proven senior merchandising experience (ideally in eCommerce & wholesale)
- Strong commercial acumen and data-driven decision making
- Hands-on leadership skills and the ability to hit the ground running
- Advanced Excel and merchandising system skills
- A positive attitude
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial & Trading Strategy
- Execute and refine the merchandising strategy across DTC (eCommerce) and wholesale channels for the duration of the contract
- Deliver seasonal range architecture, pricing, and promotional plans to achieve revenue, margin, and sell-through targets
- Partner with Buying, Marketing, and Sales teams to align product launches, campaigns, and key trading moments
- Prepare & present monthly Board Packs
- Prepare & present sign offs for collections
- Stock & Inventory Management
- Manage forecasting, demand planning, and WSSI across all sales channels
- Maintain optimal stock levels—balancing availability with cashflow and sell-through targets
- Oversee stock allocation between channels to maximise margin and minimise mark-downs
- Drive projects for efficiency: EG Warehouse/ PO tools/ OPO/ PowerBI
- Range Planning & Product Lifecycle
- Deliver the seasonal range plan, working with Design/Buying to ensure assortments are commercially viable
- Analyse category and SKU-level performance, making in-season adjustments to maximise sales
- Manage end-of-life and clearance strategies
- Leadership & Team Development
- Lead and support the merchandising team, ensuring continuity of processes and performance [Ecom Merchandiser, WS Merchandiser, WS MAA, Senior Power BI Lead]
- Collaborate cross-functionally to maintain alignment and trading agility
- Work in partnership with Head of Buying, Head of Wholesale & CFO
- Data & Insights
- Produce weekly/monthly trading reports and range performance reviews
- Use analytics and customer data to inform decision making
- Monitor competitor activity and market trends to adapt plans as needed
Essential Qualifications
- Proven track record in a senior merchandising role, ideally within eCommerce and wholesale environments
- Strong commercial acumen with experience delivering sales growth and margin improvement
- Highly competent in WSSI, forecasting, and range planning
- Skilled in managing multi-channel stock flows, including wholesale allocation and replenishment
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management abilities
- High proficiency in Excel and merchandising systems (ERP, OMS, BI tools)
Desirable
- Experience in fashion, lifestyle, or consumer goods sectors
- International wholesale and eCommerce knowledge
- Understanding of product development cycles in a brand-led business
Attributes & Cultural Fit
- Commercially driven, results-focused, and adaptable
- Confident working in a fast-paced, fixed-term capacity where immediate impact is key
- Strong communicator and collaborator across departments and external partners
- Balances commercial goals with brand and product vision
Benefits
- Birthday day off
- 25-day holiday
- Flexible hours
- Vibrant team
- 40% off staff discount
- Team socials
- Free Parking
- Competitions
- Hybrid working – 4 days in the Altrincham office
Seniority level
- Director
Employment type
- Contract
Job function
- Other
Industries
- IT Services and IT Consulting
We’re not including non-essential boilerplate or site notices. If you’re interested, apply to join a dynamic, fast-moving team.
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Head of Merchandising (Maternity Cover) Jan 2026 12 months employer: 4th & Reckless
Contact Detail:
4th & Reckless Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Merchandising (Maternity Cover) Jan 2026 12 months
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their products, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in joining their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about wanting to be part of our vibrant team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Merchandising (Maternity Cover) Jan 2026 12 months
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your senior merchandising experience, especially in eCommerce and wholesale, to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about merchandising and how your background aligns with our needs. Share specific examples of how you've driven sales growth and improved margins in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a talented merchandising team, make sure to highlight your hands-on leadership experience. Tell us about times when you’ve successfully developed a team or collaborated cross-functionally.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at 4th & Reckless
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Merchandising, you'll need to demonstrate your strong commercial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like sales growth, margin improvement, and stock allocation strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires hands-on leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to lead and develop a team. Prepare to share specific instances where you’ve successfully managed cross-functional teams or improved team performance.
✨Understand the Brand's Market Position
Research the company’s current market position and competitors. Be prepared to discuss how you would adapt merchandising strategies based on market trends and competitor activity. This shows you’re proactive and understand the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you’ve faced in merchandising, such as stock management or product launches, and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
