Senior Merchandise Manager in Birmingham

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 senior, 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.

About You

• Proven experience in a merchandise management or product-focused role, ideally within retail or sports-related environments.
• Demonstrable experience working with leading sporting brands and technical partners (e.g. Nike, adidas, Puma) as well as white-label manufacturers and licensees.
• A strong track record of managing end-to-end supply chains.
• Experience using inventory management systems and reporting tools (e.g. RSS, Medoc, SWAN, Shopify or similar).
• Excellent organisational, planning, and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to operate confidently in a fast-paced, commercially focused retail environment.
• Experience working within sports retail and/or a football club kit and merchandise environment.
• Previous experience leading or developing a team.

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on, proactive approach with a strong work ethic.
• High-energy and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and remain focused on commercial goals.
• Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Calm under pressure, with strong problem-solving skills.
• Professional, discreet, and trusted to work with confidential information.
• Committed to confidentiality and data protection best practice.

What We Offer

• 37.5-hour working week.
• 23 days holiday, rising to 25 days with service, plus 8 bank holidays.
• Pension scheme with auto-enrolment.
• Life assurance.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Complimentary matchday tickets to Men’s and Women’s fixtures.
• Staff discount at the Club Shop.
• A unique opportunity to work at the heart of a historic football club during an exciting period of growth.

Safeguarding & Equality

Birmingham City FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment and uphold the highest standards of care and professionalism. Birmingham City FC is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and assess candidates solely on merit. Reasonable adjustments can be made throughout the recruitment process upon request.