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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform our merchandising strategy to boost sales and margins.
- Company: Dynamic luxury bathroom brand ready for rapid growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity opportunities, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact and shape the future of a growing business.
- Qualifications: Extensive merchandising experience and strong supplier negotiation skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with a focus on innovation and mentorship.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 120000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
We need a merchandising expert who can fundamentally reshape our product strategy to deliver significantly improved margins, a compelling own-brand proposition, and a range architecture that positions us to compete and beat established competitors in the luxury bathroom market.
If you have a hunger for rapid expansion and are ready to work towards material wealth creation – not just a salary – this is your opportunity. Whether you’re frustrated with bureaucracy and internal politics elsewhere, or you’re at a stage where you want to mentor a young team while leaving a lasting mark on a business, we want to hear from you.
Key Objectives
- Own-brand transformation: Grow own-brand sales from 40% to 90%+ of total revenue
- Margin improvement: Increase order book margin from 47% to 60%
- Range architecture: Curate and build a compelling Good / Better / Best product range that outperforms competitors
- Franchise readiness: Prepare the product mix and supplier framework for future franchising
- Multi-channel optimisation: Maximise sales and profitability across showrooms, eCommerce, trade, and social commerce channels
- Brand alignment: Work closely with marketing to ensure our House of Brands becomes a desirable, market-leading proposition
Core Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end range strategy: Good / Better / Best tiering, SKU rationalisation, and category balance
- Develop channel-specific assortments optimised for showrooms, digital, trade, and emerging channels
- Lead new product launches with clear positioning, pricing strategy, and launch readiness
- Conduct competitor and market analysis to identify gaps and opportunities
Measures of success:
- Own-brand mix trending toward 90%+
- SKU count reduced without sales loss
- Clear competitive positioning in the luxury bathroom market
2. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Identify, negotiate, and onboard suppliers that support margin targets and quality standards
- Build supplier scorecards covering price, quality, delivery reliability, and responsiveness
- Develop exclusive and semi-exclusive supplier partnerships for own-brand ranges
- Manage supplier performance through structured reviews and clear SLAs
Measures of success:
- Cost of goods aligned to 60% GP target
- Supplier-related delays reduced by 60%
3. WSSI Management & Trading Performance
- Own the Weekly Sales, Stock & Intake (WSSI) process and forecasting accuracy
- Manage OTB (Open to Buy) and intake profiles to optimise working capital
- Drive in-season trading decisions: pricing, promotions, markdown strategy
- Balance stock availability with inventory turn targets
Measures of success:
- Inventory turns improved year-on-year
- Working capital reduced through better planning
- Own gross margin performance across the product portfolio
- Develop pricing architecture that supports Good / Better / Best positioning
- Negotiate cost improvements and rebates with suppliers
- Monitor competitor pricing and adjust positioning accordingly
Measures of success:
- Order book margin improved from 47% to 60%
- Price perception aligned with quality positioning
Experience & Capability Profile
- Deep technical merchandising expertise: sourcing, procurement, WSSI management, range planning, margin optimisation
- Proven track record of improving gross margins and product mix
- Experience in retail, DTC, or multi-channel environments
- Strong supplier negotiation and relationship management
- Commercially astute and data-driven decision maker
Highly Relevant Experience
- Head of Merchandising / Senior Merchandiser / Buying Manager roles
- Own-brand development and private label programmes
- Home improvement, interiors, or luxury retail sectors
- Building or scaling a merchandising function
- Multi-channel retail or franchise operations
Desirable (can be developed)
- Strong affinity with warehousing and logistics operations
- Experience with franchise supply models
Candidate Profile
We anticipate the ideal candidate will fit one of two profiles:
- Profile A – The Experienced Mentor: Towards the later stages of their career (or between roles), with a wealth of merchandising knowledge built over 15-25+ years. Hungry to coach and mentor a young team while leaving a lasting legacy. Motivated by ownership and wealth creation rather than just salary. Excited by the opportunity to shape a business's strategy without the bureaucratic constraints of larger organisations.
- Profile B – The Ambitious Builder: A driven individual frustrated with internal politics and bureaucracy in their current organisation. Ready to take the next step in their career and hungry to prove themselves at a more senior level. Motivated by ownership and wealth creation rather than just salary. Thrives on autonomy, accountability, and the opportunity to build something meaningful.
Personal Attributes
- Start-up mentality: resourceful, adaptable, ready to get hands dirty and overhaul existing infrastructure
- Hunger for rapid expansion and desire to put your signature on the business
- Hands-on: willing to roll up sleeves and do whatever it takes
- Ownership mindset: ready to work towards material wealth creation, not just salary
- Commercially sharp: obsessed with margin, mix, and market positioning
- Strong communicator: credible with suppliers, colleagues, and leadership
- Low-ego, high-accountability: focused on outcomes, not politics
What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)
- Own-brand mix materially increased from 40% baseline
- Order book margin improved toward 60% target
- Good / Better / Best range architecture defined and implemented
- Supplier relationships restructured with clear SLAs and performance management
- WSSI and OTB processes embedded and functioning
- Product mix prepared for franchise rollout
Employment Arrangements
We are open to fixed-term contract, temp-to-perm, or permanent (preferred) arrangements depending on candidate circumstances. For contract arrangements, we typically begin with a 3 month engagement to provide due diligence for both parties. Contract rate: £6,000-£7,000/month (invoiced via personal consultancy).
Role Type
Permanant, Full Time, 40 hrs per wk Brentford TW8 / Hybrid Based
Base salary: £60,000 with OTE £90,000
Performance bonus and benefits package to be agreed
Equity Opportunity (SLT Membership): This role offers a pathway to Senior Leadership Team membership with share options as part of the planned 2026 MBO and 2028 trade sale exit. Equity participation subject to performance and commitment through both transactions.
London Market Context
For context, Head of Merchandising roles in London typically command £55,000 - £120,000 base salary, with an average of c.£82,000 (Glassdoor 2025). Merchandising Director roles average £100,000 - £125,000+. Our base salary reflects the current size of the business, but the equity participation significantly enhances the total opportunity for candidates motivated by ownership and wealth creation rather than immediate cash compensation.
An opportunity to shape, own, and profit from a business transformation. All applications treated with strict confidence.
Head of Merchandising in Brentford employer: BathroomsbyDesign
Contact Detail:
BathroomsbyDesign Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Merchandising in Brentford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who understands their market and is ready to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around own-brand transformation and margin improvement. Confidence is key!
✨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, we love hearing from passionate candidates like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Merchandising in Brentford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for merchandising shine through! We want to see that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're genuinely excited about reshaping our product strategy and making a real impact.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in merchandising, especially any successes you've had with own-brand development or margin improvement. We love seeing how your background aligns with our goals, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and skills are easy to spot. This helps us quickly understand why you’d be a great fit for the role.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BathroomsbyDesign
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key metrics related to merchandising, such as margin percentages and SKU counts. Be ready to discuss how you've improved these figures in past roles, as this will show your deep understanding of the business.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to articulate your vision for transforming the own-brand strategy. Think about how you would increase own-brand sales from 40% to 90% and be ready to share specific strategies or examples from your experience that align with this goal.
✨Demonstrate Supplier Savvy
Since supplier management is crucial for this role, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully negotiated with suppliers in the past. Highlight any exclusive partnerships you've developed and how they contributed to margin improvements.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. For instance, how would you handle a sudden drop in sales for a key product? Prepare structured responses that showcase your analytical thinking and decision-making process.
