At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive category performance and influence trading decisions in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Company: Join Harding+, the world's only dedicated cruise retailer with a global presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, healthcare, and 26 days leave plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for international exposure and career development.
- Why this job: Gain genuine ownership and visibility while shaping the future of onboard retail.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and leadership capabilities required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
Location: Avonmouth, Bristol (Hybrid – typically 2–3 days in office, Tuesday to Thursday)
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Are you a commercially‑driven Senior Merchandiser looking for more ownership and visibility? At Harding+, we are looking for an experienced Senior Merchandiser to join our Lifestyle division, supporting our Fashion & Accessories category. This is an opportunity to play a highly visible role within a truly unique global retail business, where your decisions will directly influence category performance across an international fleet.
Cruise retail is unlike traditional retail. Trading patterns shift by itinerary, seasonality changes across markets and stock moves across a global operation, creating a fast‑paced environment that requires strong commercial judgement, analytical thinking and confident decision‑making. If you enjoy solving trading challenges, influencing decisions and using data to drive performance, this could be the opportunity for you.
Own the Trade. Influence the Strategy.
As Senior Merchandiser, you will take ownership of category WSSI and Open to Buy (OTB), ensuring stock investment aligns with customer demand, sales performance and margin expectations. You will lead weekly trade reporting and performance reviews, identifying risks and opportunities across sales, stock and margin, whilst using insight to shape better commercial decisions. Working closely with Buying teams, you will influence category planning, forecasting, promotional activity and stock flow to ensure the right product reaches the right place at the right time.
This is not a role for someone who simply reports numbers. We are looking for someone who can confidently interpret data, challenge assumptions and turn insight into action to improve trading performance. Alongside category ownership, you will also play an important leadership role within the merchandising team, coaching and supporting junior colleagues, encouraging best practice and helping maintain strong trading discipline across the function.
You will work closely with Buying, Operations and Logistics teams, giving you broad exposure across the business and the opportunity to influence decisions that directly impact retail performance globally.
Why Join Harding+?
This role offers genuine ownership, visibility and autonomy within a commercially important category. You will have the opportunity to influence trading decisions, shape performance and broaden your merchandising experience beyond traditional retail in a highly collaborative environment. At Harding+, your ideas, curiosity and commercial thinking are valued. You will join a supportive and ambitious business where pace, agility and innovation matter.
About You
You are an experienced Senior Merchandiser or established Merchandiser, ideally from a fashion, apparel, accessories, lifestyle or branded retail background. You will bring strong experience managing WSSI and OTB, alongside a solid understanding of stock planning, forecasting, trade reporting and category performance management. You are highly analytical, commercially minded and confident working with large data sets to identify trends, risks and opportunities. Previous people leadership experience within a merchandising environment is important, alongside the confidence to coach and develop others while influencing stakeholders across Buying, Commercial and Operations teams. Strong Excel capability is essential, with exposure to Power BI or similar reporting tools highly advantageous.
What You’ll Get
- Competitive salary
- Annual bonus scheme
- Company pension
- Healthcare provision
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional five days
- Hybrid working
- Exposure to international retail operations and global trading performance
- Genuine ownership and long‑term career development opportunities
About Harding+
Harding+ is the world’s only dedicated cruise retailer, partnering with leading global cruise lines and operating retail shops across ships worldwide. With millions of transactions annually and a growing international footprint, we continue to shape the future of onboard retail. We are committed to building diverse teams and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, supported and able to thrive. Apply today and help shape category performance in one of retail’s most unique global environments.
Senior Merchandiser in Bristol employer: Harding+
At Harding+, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and innovative employer, offering our Senior Merchandiser the chance to take genuine ownership of category performance in a dynamic and collaborative environment. With competitive salaries, annual bonuses, and opportunities for career development, our hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life experience while engaging with international retail operations. Join us in shaping the future of cruise retail, where your insights and commercial acumen will be valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Merchandiser in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Senior Merchandiser role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its trading patterns. We want you to show off your analytical skills and commercial judgement, so come ready with insights and questions that demonstrate your understanding of the fashion accessories market.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. We can’t stress enough how important it is to articulate your experience with WSSI and OTB confidently, as well as your leadership style in merchandising.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search and genuinely interested in joining our team at Harding+.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Merchandiser in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Merchandiser role. Highlight your experience in managing WSSI and OTB, as well as any leadership roles you've had in merchandising.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about the fashion accessories sector and how your analytical skills can drive performance. Be sure to mention specific examples of how you've influenced trading decisions in the past.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role requires strong analytical thinking, make sure to highlight your experience with data analysis tools like Excel and Power BI. Share examples of how you've used data to identify trends and improve trading performance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets into the right hands!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harding+
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Merchandiser, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical skills. Brush up on your WSSI and OTB management knowledge, and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in previous roles. Prepare specific examples of how you've identified trends or opportunities from data sets.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves coaching and supporting junior colleagues, so be prepared to talk about your leadership experience. Think of instances where you've influenced others or led a team to success. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and maintain strong trading discipline.
✨Understand the Unique Retail Environment
Cruise retail is different from traditional retail, so do your homework! Familiarise yourself with how trading patterns shift and the impact of seasonality. Be ready to discuss how you would adapt your merchandising strategies to this fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that test your commercial judgement and decision-making skills. Think through potential challenges you might encounter in this role and how you would approach them. This will show your ability to think critically and act decisively under pressure.
