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- Tasks: Lead merchandising and buying strategy for a fast-growing streetwear brand.
- Company: Disruptive UK streetwear brand with a passion for innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a vibrant work culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fashion while driving sustainable growth and creativity.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in merchandising leadership, strong analytical skills, and eCommerce experience.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Our client is a disruptive UK streetwear brand that is scaling fast and looking for exceptional talent to help shape what’s next. Reporting to the General Manager, the Head of Merchandising & Buying owns the merchandising and product buying function end-to-end. You are responsible for defining and delivering the merchandising strategy that enables sustainable, profitable growth across all channels. As part of the senior management team, you play a critical role in shaping our overall commercial and product strategy.
This role carries full responsibility for revenue planning, range planning, stock investment, margin optimisation, and inventory risk management, while leading and developing the merchandising team.
The Role:
- Merchandising Range & Planning Strategy
- Define and own seasonal and annual range, buying, and merchandising strategy aligned with growth targets.
- Lead range architecture, category planning, and SKU assortment across all collections.
- Manage product pyramid, category weighting, and options to optimise assortment and buy depth.
- Build merchandising infrastructure, processes, and systems to support international scale.
- Develop top-down and bottom-up sales, stock, and margin plans.
- Own OTB strategy and product investment allocation across categories and collections.
- Define pricing architecture and margin optimisation strategy, partnering with Product Development to meet cost and margin targets.
- Identify category growth and whitespace opportunities, and drive improvements in stock turn, sell-through, and inventory efficiency.
- Commercial & Financial Ownership
- Own revenue, margin, sell-through, and stock KPIs.
- Own inventory risk management and stock health, balancing availability, cash flow, and stock efficiency.
- Lead promotional and markdown strategy to protect margin while optimising sell-through.
- Define structured markdown and exit strategies for end-of-life stock while protecting brand perception and profitability.
- Present weekly and monthly trading performance with clear action plans.
- Ensure stock availability supports demand generation and marketing strategy.
- Ensure buy quantities and depth strategies are aligned to demand forecasts and growth targets.
- Translate product performance analysis and trading insights into future range decisions and buy adjustments.
- Forecasting & Inventory Management
- Own demand forecasting and intake planning.
- Ensure forecasting accuracy and robust scenario planning.
- Optimise size ratios, depth strategy, and replenishment models.
- Improve systems, reporting, and merchandising processes where necessary.
- Lead the evaluation, optimisation, and potential implementation of merchandising systems and planning tools to future-proof the function.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop the merchandising team.
- Set clear OKRs, KPIs, and accountability frameworks.
- Coach team members in commercial decision-making and strategic thinking.
- Foster a collaborative, performance-led culture.
- Design a clear team structure and capability, aligned to future scale (including international growth and channel expansion).
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with Product and Design to define range architecture, assortment, pricing, and depth strategy aligned with revenue and margin targets.
- Provide commercial input into product briefs, ensuring collections meet customer demand, category performance, and growth objectives.
- Collaborate with Marketing to align stock with campaigns and launches, Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and stock investment, and Operations to optimise intake and availability.
- Enhance cross-department communication on stock risk and opportunity.
- Establish structured cross-functional trading forums and decision-making frameworks to improve alignment, accountability, and execution speed.
- Technical Skills & Commercial Capability
- Advanced forecasting and planning expertise with strong financial acumen (margin, stock turn, cash flow, OTB).
- Proven commercial product and range planning capability within an in-house product development environment.
- Excellent analytical, numerical, and advanced spreadsheet skills.
- Deep understanding of product development and production lifecycle.
- Strong eCommerce trading experience and knowledge of digital marketing impact on demand.
- Proven stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Experience building merchandising infrastructure in a high-growth, scaling environment.
A good fit looks like:
- A love for the brand and understanding of our mission
- 5+ years of merchandising leadership experience (fashion eCommerce preferred)
- Experience owning both merchandising and product range planning
- Proven ownership of significant stock budgets and revenue targets
- Demonstrated success in delivering revenue and margin growth
- Strong commercial and strategic track record
- A positive attitude and willingness to grow with the brand
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and deliver high-quality work
- Strong organisation, communication, and collaboration skills
Head of Merchandising & Buying in City of London employer: Christopher Keats Media Limited
Contact Detail:
Christopher Keats Media Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Merchandising & Buying in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their merchandising strategy and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets their brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Head of Merchandising & Buying. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in revenue planning and inventory management.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Merchandising & Buying in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your love for the brand! In your application, share what excites you about our mission and how you can contribute to our growth. A genuine connection to our streetwear vibe will definitely catch our eye.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in merchandising and buying. We want to know how your past roles have prepared you for this position, so don’t hold back on those achievements that align with our needs!
Be Data-Driven: Since this role involves a lot of numbers, showcase your analytical skills. Include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles. We love candidates who can turn insights into action!
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to keep it professional. Use clear language and structure your application well. And don’t forget to apply through our website – it’s the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Christopher Keats Media Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Merchandising & Buying, you'll need to demonstrate a strong grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on your revenue planning, margin optimisation, and stock management skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed budgets and driven growth in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires a solid merchandising strategy. Prepare examples of how you've defined and executed successful range and buying strategies in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them to align with growth targets.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Skills
You'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to highlight your experience in mentoring and developing others. Share stories about how you've set clear objectives, fostered a collaborative culture, and helped team members grow in their roles.
✨Cross-Functional Collaboration is Key
The ability to work across departments is essential for this position. Prepare to discuss how you've partnered with product development, marketing, and finance in the past. Highlight any successful projects that required strong communication and alignment between teams.