Technical Merchandise & Stock Controller (Non-Retail) in England

Join Chelsea FC as our Technical Merchandise & Stock Controller, where you will manage all non-retail Nike club orders and act as the primary point of contact for Nike-related products across Sporting and Commercial departments. You will oversee the allocation and timely delivery of technical kit for the Men’s and Women’s teams, U21s, and Academy, ensuring each team’s specific needs are met efficiently. You will also manage staff kit allocations and maintain accurate records throughout the season, while supporting the Commercial division to stay within budget and meet additional requirements. Your mission is to deliver a best-in-class service, ensuring all Sporting and Commercial teams have the right kit at the right time, while providing clear reporting and acting as the key interface with Nike for season tracking.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the annual Gift of Kit (GOK) budget and all non-retail stock orders across Men’s, Women’s and Academy teams.
• Work closely with Nike and internal kit leads to manage stock, review holdings, and ensure all products meet Sporting Regulations and Nike brand standards.
• Act as the Club’s main point of contact for Nike, managing ordering, call‑offs, deliveries, and internal approval workflows.
• Support departments with commercial and staff kit requests, while driving the development of improved stock management tools.
• Lead orderbook management, forecasting, reporting, and budget reviews with Finance and department heads.
• Manage end-to-end processes for signed and gifted stock, including forecasting, storage, distribution, tracking, and supporting player signing sessions.
• Maintain accurate records in the TSM system, raise purchase orders, and oversee stock control across all relevant areas.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience working in a similar role, ideally within a sport & entertainment environment/club or within a sportswear brand.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, orders and communication lines simultaneously.
• A high level of attention to detail is critical for managing kit allocations, order specifications, and inventory records.
• Previous experience in order processing and stock management with proficiency using order management systems and inventory management software.
• A proactive approach with a focus on problem-solving and driving efficiencies within the Club.
• Knowledge of the technical aspects of sports apparel, including materials, sizing, durability, and functionality for high performance athletic use.
• The ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly and efficiently, especially in high-pressure situations (e.g., branding deadlines, kit shortages, shipping delays).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Proven ability to work under pressure, prioritise tasks effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office particularly Outlook, Word, Excel, and Epos systems and retail software.
• Have access to a vehicle and/or the ability to travel between our Club sites; Cobham Training Ground and Stamford Bridge.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave (+ Bank Holidays). After three years’ service, AL days increase to 28.
• Pension Contribution (5%).
• Life Assurance (4 x base salary).
• Private healthcare through Vitality.
• C2W (Cycle to Work scheme).
• Chelsea Ticket Membership Program – enables employees to purchase tickets for home games 49 days prior to the match.
• Free staff lunches at Stamford Bridge (Mon-Fri).
• Discount on club and club-affiliated products (Megastore, Nike 25% discount, Stadium Tours, onsite bar/restaurant etc).
• Employee Assistance Program, Mental Health first aiders and a strong well‑being community.

At Chelsea we recognise that the diversity of our people is one of our greatest strengths and we are taking positive action to ensure our existing colleagues and job applicants can fully be themselves and bring their own unique experiences and perspectives to Chelsea FC. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

If you need reasonable adjustments made to the recruitment process, please reach out to your recruiter, who will be able to advise and support you.

Chelsea FC is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well‑being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups). We therefore require all successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to starting employment. Depending on the role, successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening where appropriate.

This Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.