Head of Merchandising

High Wycombe, office-based c. 4 days per week. Mint Velvet began when founders Liz Houghton and Lisa Agar-Rea set out to create an unfailingly chic collection of contemporary, great quality staples and elevated fits that they felt were missing from their wardrobes. Feeling frustrated that they couldn’t find anything they wanted to wear, or the great customer service they craved, they started fusing relaxed comfort with glamorous yet wearable fashion trends. Relaxed Glamour was born. As collaborative creatives, we take untold pride in our work, designing with heart and soul. We want to be a force for good and are committed to becoming a more circular and responsible business, from the fabrics we choose to our considered processes. We are an agile and growing business, and we work hard to create an environment which allows for growth and progression, balanced with the support and flexibility needed to meet the challenge of a high-performance culture. Our leadership teams and founders sit amongst the teams and encourage a culture of balance and passion. MV is a very special place, and our values are anchored by three main pillars: people, planet, and community.

Our Values:

• With Soul.
• Courage & Resilience.
• Passion & Drive.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit.
• Collaborative.

The Role

• Ensure we deliver the annual MV budget, leading the profitable delivery of all trading KPIs.
• Understand the ever-evolving nuances of trading in stores and online, and being keenly aware of how best to optimise both.
• Ensure profit is at the forefront of every decision and always look for opportunities to maximise it.
• Demonstrate outstanding understanding of Mint Velvet’s customer, market position and competitors – leveraging insights to potentialise all opportunities.
• Lead a strong KPI focus, ensuring the team are striving towards the targets set.
• Have a detailed understanding of the company’s long-term strategy and ensure department plans are fully aligned with this.
• Take accountability for continually improving your own performance, and leading this same focus in your team – setting and achieving stretching objectives.
• Be proactive in driving your personal development, and that of your team - seeking/offering constructive feedback, driving regular development conversations, and utilising coaching, training, development and support resources available.
• Demonstrate excellent people management and your ability to lead a high-performing and efficient team, balancing self-awareness with your understanding of others’ styles to get the best out of your team.

To join our vibrant and fast-growing business

• You are able to make brave and wise trading decisions at pace within the context of an evolving macro environment.
• You’re highly numerate, analytical and innovative, which you balance with a real love of product.
• You should be excited to be part of shaping the future of Merchandising, and anticipate involvement in exciting projects to elevate our reporting & analytical systems.
• You’re always curious - proactive at interrogating data to identify risks and opportunities, and ensuring action plans and resolutions for these.
• You’re an experienced line manager, with the ability to motivate & develop your team to drive results, and a great colleague to those you work with.
• You’re highly resilient – able to adapt, respond and effectively lead your team through challenges.
• You take a collaborative approach ensuring there are no surprises – focusing on strong relationship-building and great communication with people at all levels, communicating your ideas and suggestions clearly, positively, and convincingly.
• Working at a senior leadership level, you’re courageous in backing your decisions and a skilful influencer, whilst also responding gracefully to challenge - knowing when to accept direction.
• You use strong questioning and listening skills to ensure a shared understanding before leaving any discussion/meeting.
• You’re brilliantly proactive and organised, able to manage priorities and ensure focuses are clear in a fast-moving context.

You’ll be rewarded with:

• Competitive starting salary and great career prospects in a fast-paced and growing business.
• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays and a day off on your birthday.
• Company-funded private health insurance and access to Smart Health Life assurance.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Interest-free Season ticket loan.
• Summer hours - 3pm finishes every Friday throughout June, July & August.
• Bespoke induction support and ongoing development to help you thrive in your new role.
• A welcoming and inspiring work-environment - take advantage of Yoga classes, social activities, an early finish on pay day and more.