Head of Buying and Merchandising
Head of Buying and Merchandising

Head of Buying and Merchandising

Bath Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product strategy and merchandising for a trendy womenswear brand.
  • Company: Join a design-led brand known for its refined aesthetic and modern wardrobe solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for international growth and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Shape product strategy while influencing brand positioning and creative direction.
  • Qualifications: Strong background in Buying or Merchandising, ideally in premium womenswear.
  • Other info: This role offers a chance to inspire a high-performing team and drive global growth.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Fella & Jones are thrilled to be exclusively partnered with a beautifully curated, design-led womenswear brand in their search for a Head of Buying and Merchandising. Known for its refined aesthetic and modern wardrobe solutions, this is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping product strategy and trading performance during a period of ambitious international growth.

We’re looking for a product-obsessed, commercially savvy leader with a strong background in Buying, or a hybrid Buying/Merchandising role. This role goes beyond the numbers—while commercial strategy and inventory planning are key, so too is your ability to spot product and market trends, analyse competitor activity, and influence everything from styling and assortment to pricing and brand positioning.

Key Responsibilities
  • Product Strategy & Planning: Lead seasonal strategy across Buying and Merchandising, ensuring a compelling, brand-aligned assortment that delivers both creative and commercial results.
  • Market & Competitor Insight: Drive regular benchmarking of competitors, identifying product opportunities and whitespace to inform buy and trading decisions.
  • Sales & Performance Management: Use data, intuition, and insight to optimise full-price sell-through, category performance, and margin across regions.
  • Cross-Functional Influence: Collaborate closely with Design, Digital, Marketing, and Retail to align product, content, and commercial goals.
  • Creative Brand Guardian: Be confident in influencing campaign styling, imagery, and messaging to ensure product is presented with impact and intent.
  • Stock Management: Lead the forecasting, allocation, and trading cadence to ensure inventory agility and sales optimisation across all channels.
  • Team Leadership: Inspire, mentor, and grow a high-performing team across Buying and Merchandising, fostering a culture of pace, ownership, and product passion.

What You’ll Bring

  • A strong background in senior Buying, Merchandising, or hybrid roles, ideally within premium or contemporary womenswear.
  • Proven experience in trend forecasting, competitive analysis, and range building across multiple markets.
  • Deep commercial understanding of stock flow, seasonal planning, and trading levers.
  • International experience, particularly across EMEA and the US.
  • A confident creative voice, with the ability to influence styling, product presentation, and content direction.
  • A digital-first approach and experience working across e-commerce and omnichannel environments.
  • Inspirational leadership and a collaborative mindset.

This is a rare opportunity to drive global growth for a brand that blends product integrity with commercial ambition. If you’re ready to lead both the product and trading conversation, we’d love to hear from you.

Head of Buying and Merchandising employer: JR United Kingdom

Fella & Jones is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that champions creativity and collaboration within the beautifully curated womenswear sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing team while influencing product strategy during an exciting phase of international expansion. Located in a vibrant area, our culture promotes innovation and passion for product, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact.
J

Contact Detail:

JR United Kingdom Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Buying and Merchandising

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the brand's aesthetic and product offerings. Understanding their design philosophy will help you articulate how your vision aligns with theirs during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Stay updated on current trends in womenswear and competitor activities. Being able to discuss recent market shifts or successful strategies from other brands can demonstrate your industry insight.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles. Highlighting your leadership style and how you've fostered a culture of creativity and performance will resonate well.

✨Tip Number 4

Think about how you can leverage digital tools and e-commerce strategies to enhance buying and merchandising processes. Showcasing your digital-first approach will be crucial in this role.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Buying and Merchandising

Strong background in Buying and Merchandising
Trend Forecasting
Competitive Analysis
Range Building
Commercial Acumen
Stock Flow Management
Seasonal Planning
Data Analysis
Sales Optimisation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Creative Influence
E-commerce Experience
Omnichannel Strategy
Inspirational Leadership
Team Mentoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in Buying and Merchandising, particularly within womenswear. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead product strategy and manage inventory effectively.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the brand and the role. Discuss your understanding of market trends and how your background aligns with the company's goals for international growth.

Showcase Leadership Skills: Emphasise your leadership experience in your application. Provide examples of how you've inspired and mentored teams in previous roles, as this is crucial for the Head of Buying and Merchandising position.

Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration: Mention any experience you have working with other departments such as Design, Digital, and Marketing. This will show your ability to align product and commercial goals, which is key for this role.

How to prepare for a job interview at JR United Kingdom

✨Showcase Your Product Passion

As a Head of Buying and Merchandising, your love for products should shine through. Be prepared to discuss specific products you admire and how they align with market trends. This will demonstrate your genuine interest and expertise in the field.

✨Prepare for Market Insights

Research the brand's competitors and current market trends before the interview. Be ready to share your insights on what sets this brand apart and how you would leverage these insights to inform buying decisions. This shows your analytical skills and strategic thinking.

✨Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration

This role requires working closely with various teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with design, marketing, or retail teams in the past. Emphasising your ability to influence and align goals across departments will be key.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a leader, it's important to inspire and mentor your team. Share your experiences in building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of ownership and passion. This will illustrate your capability to lead effectively in a dynamic environment.

Head of Buying and Merchandising
JR United Kingdom
J
  • Head of Buying and Merchandising

    Bath
    Full-Time
    43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-06-21

  • J

    JR United Kingdom

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