At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global merchandise planning for accessories, driving strategy and financial performance.
- Company: Burberry, a creative luxury brand committed to sustainability and community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of luxury fashion while inspiring a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in luxury retail planning and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
At Burberry, we believe creativity opens spaces. Our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities. This is the core belief that has guided Burberry since it was founded in 1856 and is central to how we operate as a company today. We aim to provide an environment for creative minds from different backgrounds to thrive, bringing a wide range of skills and experiences to everything we do. As a purposeful, values-driven brand, we are committed to being a force for good in the world as well, creating the next generation of sustainable luxury for customers, driving industry change and championing our communities.
We are seeking a strategic, commercially driven Director of Global Merchandise Planning – Accessories to lead and inspire planning excellence across a key global division. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will shape the long-term product strategy, influence global assortments, and drive financial performance across regions. As a senior leader within Global Merchandise Planning, you will champion innovation, collaboration, and simplicity, while delivering strong commercial outcomes and building a high-performing team.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning & Product Vision
- Own and deliver the 3-year product and sales plan for Accessories in partnership with Finance and Product Strategy.
- Define category ambitions, including margin, pricing, and assortment architecture.
- Translate company strategy into clear planning frameworks and actionable insights.
- Collection Planning & Open to Buy
- Lead Global Open to Buy strategy, setting clear guidance across divisions and regions.
- Partner with Merchandising throughout collection development to ensure alignment of creative vision and financial targets.
- Review and challenge regional plans to ensure consistency with global strategy.
- Commercial Performance & Analysis
- Drive sales, margin, and productivity performance through insightful analysis and trading actions.
- Identify risks and opportunities, optimizing inventory and maximizing in-season trading.
- Deliver impactful insights to inform future collections and business direction.
- Option & Margin Planning
- Set and manage option strategies aligned to “fewer, bigger ideas.”
- Own margin planning, driving ambitious targets while balancing risk.
- Embed margin considerations into all planning processes.
- Market & Supply Chain Collaboration
- Analyse regional buys and ensure alignment with global assortment strategy.
- Partner with Supply Chain to support forecasting and vendor planning.
- Optimise inventory flow, including replenishment and end-of-life strategies.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing global planning team.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
- Champion talent development and succession planning across the function.
Personal Profile
- Proven experience leading divisional planning in a luxury or fast-paced retail environment.
- Strong track record in global merchandise planning, Open to Buy, and margin management.
- Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and decision-making capability.
- Influential communicator, confident engaging with senior stakeholders (SVP/C-suite).
- Collaborative leader with a passion for developing teams and driving performance.
- Experience with SAP or similar systems is advantageous.
Burberry is an Equal Opportunities Employer and as such, treats all applications equally and recruits purely on the basis of skills and experience.
Director, Global Merchandise Planning - Accessories in London employer: Burberry
Burberry is an exceptional employer that fosters a creative and inclusive work environment, empowering employees to thrive and contribute to the next generation of sustainable luxury. With a strong commitment to innovation and collaboration, the company offers ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring that every team member can make a meaningful impact in their role. Located in a vibrant setting, Burberry champions a culture of accountability and excellence, making it an attractive place for those seeking a rewarding career in the luxury retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Global Merchandise Planning - Accessories in London
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Burberry, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Burberry!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Global Merchandise Planning - Accessories in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Burberry, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Burberry and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Burberry that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Burberry
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
