At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead inventory management and optimise stock across all retail channels for Birmingham City FC.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Birmingham City FC, a club with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for growth, and a chance to work in sports retail.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the retail strategy of a beloved football club and drive revenue growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandise management and strong collaboration skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Birmingham City FC is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Senior Merchandise Manager to play a key role in shaping and delivering the Club’s retail inventory strategy. This is a hands‑on role with significant responsibility for inventory planning, technical partner management, and stock optimisation across all retail channels. The successful candidate will ensure process discipline, strong cross‑department collaboration, and effective stock management that supports revenue growth while controlling inventory exposure.
The Role
As Senior Merchandise Manager, you will lead inventory management across the Club, with a primary focus on retail channels. You will manage technical partner product ordering, forecasting, replenishment, and third‑party embellishment processes, ensuring stock availability aligns with commercial targets and fan demand. Working closely with internal teams and external partners, you will help drive revenue growth, protect margin, and ensure operational efficiency across a fast‑paced, high‑profile retail environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage all technical partner product ordering and distribution across the Club, including playing kit, training wear, and accessories, ensuring budgets, critical paths, and delivery timelines are met.
- Oversee end‑to‑end third‑party embellishment processes for kit and training wear where required.
- Work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders including Commercial, Partnerships, Finance, Marketing, and Operations to support shared objectives.
- Support the Head of Retail with budgeting and forecasting across all categories and multi‑channel retail activity.
- Lead forecasting of stock availability and forward ordering across all channels, managing re‑orders to achieve revenue targets while keeping inventory exposure within approved budgets.
- Contribute to the development and execution of domestic and international wholesale opportunities where appropriate, increasing brand reach and revenue.
- Ensure consistency of process, standards, and ways of working across all retail touchpoints, in line with Club values and guidelines.
- Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Attend relevant trade shows, product previews, and industry events when appropriate.
Key Relationships
- Head of Retail
- Commercial
Senior Merchandise Manager employer: Birmingham City FC
Contact Detail:
Birmingham City FC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Merchandise Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and merchandise sectors. Attend industry events or trade shows where you can meet potential employers and showcase your passion for merchandise management.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Birmingham City FC and their retail strategies. Show us that you understand their brand and how you can contribute to their revenue growth and stock optimisation goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly. We love proactive candidates who take the initiative to express their interest in joining our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your experience with inventory management and technical partner collaboration in your conversations. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve driven efficiency and revenue growth in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Merchandise Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Merchandise Manager role. Highlight your experience in inventory management and retail strategy, and don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements that showcase your commercial drive.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for Birmingham City FC. Mention your passion for retail and how your skills align with the Club’s goals, especially around stock optimisation and revenue growth.
Showcase Collaboration Skills: Since this role involves working closely with various teams, make sure to highlight your collaboration skills. Share examples of how you've successfully worked with different departments in the past to achieve common objectives.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birmingham City FC
✨Know Your Inventory Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in inventory management principles and practices. Brush up on your knowledge of stock optimisation, forecasting, and the specific retail channels Birmingham City FC operates in. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re ready to take on the role.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires strong collaboration with various departments. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked with teams like Commercial, Finance, or Marketing in the past. Highlighting your ability to foster cross-department relationships will demonstrate that you can thrive in a team-oriented environment.
✨Stay Ahead of Industry Trends
Research current trends in merchandise management and retail strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you can apply this knowledge to enhance Birmingham City FC's retail strategy. Showing that you’re proactive about industry developments will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as managing stock during peak seasons or dealing with supply chain issues. Think through potential scenarios and formulate your responses ahead of time. This will help you articulate your problem-solving skills effectively during the interview.