Head of Merchandising Innovation
Head of Merchandising Innovation

Head of Merchandising Innovation

Full-Time 48000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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ALLSAINTS

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the transformation of global merchandising and implement innovative planning tools.
  • Company: AllSaints, a vibrant global fashion brand focused on making customers feel confident.
  • Benefits: Generous wardrobe allowance, employee discounts, hybrid working, and extensive health benefits.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and drive innovation in a leading fashion retailer.
  • Qualifications: Extensive merchandising leadership experience and strong communication skills required.
  • Other info: Based in trendy Shoreditch with great local perks and a supportive work culture.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.

At AllSaints we are in the business of feelings - making our customers feel cool and confident. If, like us, you believe in the power of a great outfit, we would love to talk to you. We are a global brand made up of a very diverse mix of talented people in a huge variety of roles. Our products are designed in house and made by a small number of suppliers and artisans around the world to sustainable standards. We are a brand embarking on a very exciting plan and we are seeking new members of the team who want to contribute to this.

THE ROLE

The Head of Merchandising - Innovation, reporting to the Global Merchandising Director (with a dotted line to the Global Director of Transformation), is a pivotal leadership role at AllSaints, responsible for spearheading the transformation of our global merchandising function. This leader will be the primary "business lead" for the implementation of a new Buying and Merchandising planning tool, working in close partnership with our dedicated Transformation team (aligned to technology). Beyond the tool, this individual will be a key catalyst for broader innovation in Buying and Merchandising, championing new ways of working and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, agility, and continuous improvement across our global merchandising teams.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

  • Buying and Merchandising Planning Tool Implementation (Business Lead & Partnership with Transformation Team)
    • Strategic Alignment: Define and articulate the business requirements for the new Buying and Merchandising planning tool, ensuring its capabilities directly support AllSaints' global growth ambitions, product lifecycle, and commercial objectives across all channels (Retail, Digital, Concessions, Wholesale).
    • Business Case Development: Own the development of the business case, particularly in relation to the definition and realisation of benefits over the different phases of transformation.
    • Partnership & Collaboration: Act as the primary business liaison with the internal Transformation team and external vendors throughout the implementation lifecycle.
    • Requirements & Design: Lead the inputs to the detailed business requirements gathering, process mapping, and design phases.
    • User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Oversee and lead the UAT phase of the project.
    • Change Management: Work in partnership with the Transformation team to build and execute a comprehensive change management strategy.
    • Data Migration & Integrity: Collaborate closely with the Transformation, Tech, and data teams to ensure seamless data migration from legacy systems.
    • Go-Live & Post-Implementation Support: Lead the successful go-live of the tool across all global regions.
    • Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and ROI of the new planning tool post-implementation.
  • Merchandising Transformation & Ways of Working Innovation
    • Process Optimisation: Work closely with the Merch team to leverage current resources and tools to drive productivity in range planning and stock management.
    • Best Practices & Innovation: Research and implement merchandising best practices relevant to a global fashion retailer.
    • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster strong, symbiotic collaborative relationships with other functions.
    • Cultural Evolution: Champion a mindset of agility, data-driven decision-making, proactive planning, and seamless collaboration.
    • Influence & Inspire: Act as a dynamic thought leader and change agent.
    • Mentorship & Coaching: Provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and hands-on coaching to Buying and Merchandising leaders and team members.
    • Relationship Building: Build strong, trusted, and influential relationships with senior Buying and Merchandising leaders.

WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED?

  • Extensive Merchandising Leadership Experience: Proven track record of success in senior merchandising leadership roles within a complex, global fashion retail environment.
  • Deep Merchandising Planning Expertise: In-depth, practical knowledge of end-to-end merchandising planning processes.
  • Technology Implementation Experience (advantageous): Significant, demonstrable experience as a business lead for the successful implementation of enterprise-level Buying and Merchandising or planning software.
  • Exceptional Communication & Influencing Skills: Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively at all levels of the organization.
  • Project Management Discipline: Solid understanding of project management principles and methodologies.
  • Strategic Thinker: Ability to connect high-level strategic objectives to detailed operational execution.
  • Global Mindset: Experience working within a global organization.
  • Passion for Product & Brand: A genuine appreciation for the AllSaints brand aesthetic, product, and customer.

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Based in our East London Studios in vibrant Shoreditch with perks and benefits offered from local businesses including discounts on food, shopping and health & beauty.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

  • The Customer is the Boss
  • One Team
  • We Do What We Say We Will
  • We Are Responsible

BENEFITS

  • A generous wardrobe allowance so that you can wear our beautiful clothes to work each day.
  • We are a disability committed certified employer.
  • Employee discount for you to spend with family and friends.
  • 25 days holiday increasing to 28 days after 2 years continuous service.
  • Bank holidays, birthdays and volunteering days off.
  • Access to dental cash plan & free virtual GP appointments through Aviva.
  • UNUM employee assistance helpline.
  • Life assurance cover.
  • Access to discounted gym membership and corporate discounts.
  • Hybrid working in our historic East London studios, working hours are 9-5.30pm.
  • Free, confidential, wellbeing and lifestyle support with Retail Trust.
  • Enhanced family leave benefits.
  • Health days for you to use either for physical or mental wellness.
  • Dedicated mental health support from our mental health first aiders.
  • Eye care vouchers, season ticket loans and much more!

Head of Merchandising Innovation employer: ALLSAINTS

At AllSaints, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to innovate and grow. Located in the creative hub of Shoreditch, our East London studios offer a dynamic environment with generous benefits, including a wardrobe allowance, hybrid working options, and comprehensive wellness support. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to transforming the global merchandising landscape while enjoying unique perks from local businesses.
ALLSAINTS

Contact Detail:

ALLSAINTS Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Merchandising Innovation

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fashion industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your passion for the brand! When you get that interview, make sure to express your love for AllSaints and its aesthetic. Share how you can contribute to making customers feel cool and confident through innovative merchandising strategies.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Merchandising Innovation. Be ready to discuss your past successes in merchandising leadership and how you’ve driven transformation in previous roles.

✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the AllSaints team. Let’s make it happen!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Merchandising Innovation

Merchandising Leadership
Buying and Merchandising Planning
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Project Management
Change Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Technology Implementation
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Strategic Thinking
Process Optimisation
Relationship Building
Agility
Mentorship and Coaching

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for fashion and the AllSaints brand shine through. We want to see how you connect with our mission of making customers feel cool and confident!

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in merchandising and innovation. We’re looking for someone who can lead transformation, so share specific examples of how you've driven change in previous roles.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and achievements, as we appreciate direct communication that gets straight to the heart of what you can bring to the team.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at AllSaints.

How to prepare for a job interview at ALLSAINTS

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into AllSaints' brand ethos and product lines. Familiarise yourself with their latest collections and understand how they resonate with customers. This will help you articulate how your vision for merchandising innovation aligns with their mission of making customers feel cool and confident.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of Merchandising Innovation, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership prowess. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams through change, particularly in implementing new tools or processes. Highlight your ability to inspire and influence others, as this role requires collaboration across various departments.

✨Be Data-Driven

AllSaints values data-driven decision-making, so come prepared with insights on how you've used data to optimise merchandising strategies in the past. Discuss specific metrics you've tracked and how they informed your decisions, especially in areas like inventory management and demand forecasting.

✨Embrace Change Management

Change is at the heart of this role, so be ready to discuss your experience with change management strategies. Share how you've successfully navigated transitions in previous roles, including how you engaged teams and ensured smooth adoption of new systems or processes.

Head of Merchandising Innovation
ALLSAINTS
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