At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the merchandising strategy and shape product offerings for a growing clothing brand.
- Company: Join a values-driven clothing brand with a supportive team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, health cashback, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence systems and collaborate across departments.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on long-term product strategy and brand growth.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in merchandising and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Benefits
- 30 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Company pension scheme
- Health cashback plan
- Be part of a growing, values-driven clothing brand
- Supportive and close-knit team culture
- Staff Discounts across products
- Senior leadership role with real influence
- An opportunity to shape long-term product and merchandising strategy
Must have’s
- Proven experience leading merchandising strategy for a growing clothing or lifestyle brand
- Strong commercial instinct with a deep understanding of the product lifecycle
- Confidence using trading data, forecasting and WSSI to drive decisions
- Experience leading Open-to-Buy planning alongside Finance and Sales
- Ability to balance creative vision with data-driven thinking
- Confident communicator who can collaborate across Product, Creative, Finance, Ops and Marketing
- Calm, structured approach and comfort navigating complexity
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to set direction and challenge thinking
Nice to have’s
- Experience working in DTC or omnichannel retail
- Exposure to AI or automation tools for forecasting or reporting
- Strong interest in sustainability, responsible sourcing and long term brand building
Responsibilities
- Setting and owning the long term merchandising strategy across all categories
- Shaping the range architecture, including breadth, depth, hero products and new categories
- Using trading data and customer insight to guide product decisions and reduce risk
- Leading the Open to Buy process and intake phasing throughout the year
- Owning forecasting, WSSI and markdown strategy to protect margin
- Running the weekly trade rhythm, including trade packs, meetings and clear action plans
- Identifying growth opportunities, demand patterns and regional/channel risks
- Ensuring collections align with brand storytelling, sustainability commitments and commercial goals
- Working closely with Product, Creative, Marketing, Operations and ESG to keep the business aligned
- Setting direction for the merchandising team, while they execute day to day trading and reporting
- Translating trading insights into clear decisions - not just commentary
- Senior role with accountability for long term growth and performance
- Strategic focus, with the team handling day to day execution
- Opportunity to influence systems, processes and ways of working
- Work within a brand that values craft, quality and thoughtful decision making
- Strong cross functional collaboration at leadership level
Head of Merchandising in Cheltenham employer: Job Search Place Limited
Join a dynamic and values-driven clothing brand as the Head of Merchandising, where you will enjoy 30 days of holiday, a company pension scheme, and a health cashback plan. Our supportive and close-knit team culture fosters collaboration and creativity, providing you with the opportunity to shape long-term product strategies while benefiting from staff discounts and a senior leadership role that truly influences the brand's direction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Merchandising in Cheltenham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you show that you're not just a fit for the role, but for the team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience leading merchandising strategies and how you've used data to drive decisions. Confidence is key, so rehearse until it feels natural.
✨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 about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Merchandising in Cheltenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Head of Merchandising role. Highlight your proven experience in leading merchandising strategies and your strong commercial instincts.
Showcase Your Data Skills:Since this role involves using trading data and forecasting, don’t forget to mention any relevant experience you have with these tools. We want to see how you’ve used data to drive decisions in your previous roles.
Communicate Clearly:As a confident communicator, your application should reflect your ability to collaborate across different teams. Use clear language and structure your application to show how you can set direction and challenge thinking.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Merchandising Strategy
Before the interview, brush up on your understanding of merchandising strategies, especially in the clothing or lifestyle sector. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led similar strategies in the past and how you can apply that experience to shape the long-term vision for the company.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Since this role requires a strong grasp of trading data and forecasting, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive decisions. Think about specific instances where your insights led to successful outcomes, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a senior role, they’ll be looking for strong leadership qualities. Prepare to share experiences where you've set direction for a team, navigated complex challenges, and fostered collaboration across departments. Highlight your ability to challenge thinking while maintaining a supportive environment.
✨Align with Brand Values
Familiarise yourself with the company's values, especially around sustainability and responsible sourcing. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of thoughtful decision-making in merchandising.
