Senior Merchandiser in Leeds

Key Responsibilities

• WSSI Management: Oversee and manage the Weekly Sales & Stock Intake (WSSI) process, ensuring accurate forecasting and stock flow to meet business targets. Analyse sales trends, identify key performance indicators, and drive corrective actions where necessary to maintain optimal stock levels.
• Leadership Expertise: Lead and mentor a team of assistant merchandisers and merchandisers, providing guidance on key merchandising processes and driving a collaborative team culture. Develop team capabilities and ensure continuous improvement in their performance and development.
• OTB Management (Open-to-Buy): Manage the Open-to-Buy (OTB) process, ensuring the appropriate stock investment is in place to support planned sales, optimise cash flow, and maintain stock availability. Adjust purchasing and buying strategies based on changing market conditions and sales performance.
• Range Planning: Collaborate with buying and design teams to plan product ranges effectively, aligning with customer demand, market trends, and company objectives. Use historical data and market insights to build and maintain balanced product ranges that maximise sales opportunities.
• WSSI Accuracy: Ensure the accuracy and integrity of the WSSI, driving improvements in stock accuracy, margin management, and overall business profitability. Regularly update and report on performance metrics to senior stakeholders.
• Inventory Management: Oversee the management of the inventory process, ensuring stock levels are appropriately aligned with sales forecasts and business needs. Work closely with the supply chain and logistics teams to ensure timely stock delivery and optimise stock turnover.
• Data-Driven Analysis: Analyse sales, stock, and inventory data to make informed decisions on buying, stock levels, and markdown strategies. Provide recommendations based on insights to enhance sales performance and profitability.
• Collaboration and Communication: Work cross-functionally with buying, design, marketing, and retail teams to ensure seamless execution of product strategies and timely delivery of ranges. Communicate key performance updates and actions to senior management.
• Financial Performance: Take ownership of sales and margin performance for designated product categories, driving actions to deliver financial targets and KPIs. Ensure profitability is maximised through effective stock management and cost control.
• Supplier and Stakeholder Relationship Management: Manage key supplier relationships and work collaboratively to ensure product availability, cost negotiations, and timely deliveries.

Personal Skills Requirements

• Highly analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex sales, margin, and stock data to drive informed commercial decisions.
• Strong strategic thinking with a proven ability to plan, forecast, and deliver profitable product ranges.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring and developing junior team members.
• Confident decision-maker, able to balance commercial risk with opportunity in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Advanced communication and influencing skills, capable of building strong relationships across buying, supply chain, and senior leadership teams.
• Strong organisational and time management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple categories and deadlines simultaneously.
• High level of commercial awareness, with a deep understanding of market trends, customer behaviour, and competitor activity.
• Proactive and results-driven, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability for business performance.
• Advanced proficiency in merchandising systems and tools (e.g. Excel, forecasting platforms, ERP systems).
• Adaptable and resilient, able to thrive under pressure and respond effectively to changing business needs.
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a clear focus on the bigger commercial picture.