Merchandiser - Mono Brand

Chelsea FC is seeking a highly organised, commercially minded Merchandiser to support and execute the merchandising strategy across the club’s Mono Brand product category. Reporting directly into the Senior Merchandiser – Mono Brand, this role is responsible for category performance analysis, range administration, stock management, in-season trading actions, and coordination across internal teams. You will play a vital role in delivering profitable, fan-focused assortments across stadium stores. This role requires exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical capability, and clear communication across Planning, Product, Nike, and Retail & Operations Team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Category Management & Range Execution: Support the Senior Merchandiser in delivering the seasonal range architecture for your assigned product categories. Prepare SKU line lists and range plans in alignment with the approved strategy. Ensure all range documentation is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible for cross-functional teams. Coordinate with the Product Manager on sample tracking, approvals, and product readiness. Work with the Nike Senior Merchandiser to manage club/Nike crossover SKUs, ensuring alignment between Chelsea-owned and Nike-led product ranges.
• In-Season Trading & Performance Analysis: Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly sales performance at category and SKU level. Identify opportunities (best sellers, emerging trends, new fan behaviour) and risks (slowing lines, overstock, gaps). Recommend trading actions including replenishment adjustments, size curve alterations, re-orders, and transfers. Support markdown proposals and end-of-season exit plans. Ensure KPI data and category selling reports are delivered on time and with high accuracy. Oversee stock flow and replenishment for your categories across all retail locations, ensuring a good representation across mobile kiosks, pop up units, click and collect and MD store. Work closely with the Planning Manager to align intake phasing with sales forecasts and OTB constraints. Liaise with Warehouse Operations to ensure timely delivery and correct allocation. Maintain and action WOS (Weeks of Stock), cover levels, and stock health metrics to maximise availability and minimise overstock. Support stock consolidation, transfers, and inventory clean‑up during low‑traffic periods.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with the Senior Merchandiser to ensure seamless delivery of category strategy. Collaborate with the Product Manager on product updates, quality issues, and development timelines. Work with the Nike Senior Merchandiser on season launches, SKU alignment, and allocation of licensed and co‑branded product. Coordinate with Retail Operations to understand store needs, trading conditions, and customer feedback. Support Marketing and Retail Ops on product information for campaigns, store launches, and matchday activations. Manage intake and organisation of all samples and prepare sample sets for photoshoots.
• Critical Path & Sample Management: Maintain and track the critical path for your category to ensure all seasonal milestones are met. Manage sample handling: logging, labelling, tracking, and preparing samples for internal and external meetings. Support sell‑in and internal range presentations by preparing decks, boards, and product references.
• Administration & System Management: Maintain accurate product and pricing data within merchandising and stock systems. Prepare and issue purchase orders where required, ensuring accuracy of quantities, costs, and delivery dates. Own category‑level housekeeping, including SKU status updates, product information management, and archiving. Carry out administrative tasks focused around system product set up and tracking of stock deliveries. Alongside the retail team, you’ll devise store range plans based on historical sales performance by area and coordinate the layout plans to all branches along with delivery. Create and own space planning/sales per square foot reporting for mono brand ranges.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Proven merchandising experience within apparel, sporting goods, fashion, or lifestyle retail.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel and merchandising systems.
• Experience managing in‑season trading and stock flow.
• High attention to detail, organisation, and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills, able to work cross‑functionally with multiple departments.
• Commercial mindset with an understanding of sales, margin, and stock KPIs.
• Experience within a brand‑led retail environment or sports club.
• Familiarity with Nike seasonal structure or licensing‑based merchandising.
• Understanding of omnichannel store environments (though this role excludes ecommerce responsibilities).

Person Profile:

• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple deadlines.
• Analytical, curious, and data‑driven in approach.
• Collaborative communicator who enjoys working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Passionate about product, fans, and delivering strong retail performance.
• Ambitious and ready to develop into a senior merchandising role over time.
• To embody the club’s BLUE behaviours (Brave, Lead, Unity, Edge) in the approach to work and interaction with others.
• To adhere to the club’s policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR.
• To act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, and demonstrate a positive commitment by treating others fairly in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels.
• To create a safe environment and act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are either in your care or attending club premises, and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead.
• To report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the HR Department.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

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.