At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandise planning strategy across multiple brands and channels, driving performance and optimising inventory.
- Company: Market-leading multi-brand retail platform known for strong brand partnerships and omni-channel growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: People-centric leadership role with potential for significant career advancement.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of retail with innovative planning strategies.
- Qualifications: Extensive merchandising leadership experience in fashion retail, ideally within luxury or multi-brand environments.
The predicted salary is between 180815 - 206646 £ per year.
A market leading multi-brand retail and distribution platform operating at regional scale, managing a diverse portfolio across fashion, lifestyle and beauty categories. The organisation is known for its strong brand partnerships, omni-channel growth and continued investment in systems, people and commercial capability.
Lead and drive the end to end merchandise planning strategy across multiple brands, categories and channels including stores and digital. Deliver annual and seasonal merchandise financial plans, budgets, forecasts and OTB frameworks aligned to revenue and margin targets. Drive in-season trading performance through active monitoring of sales, sell-through, stock cover and margin, adjusting plans and intake as needed. Operate and optimise OTB controls to manage spend, reduce risk and protect profitability across business units. Run inventory and intake planning processes including purchase order flow, stock phasing and replenishment frameworks. Create and implement planning policies, processes and governance to improve accuracy, speed and cross-functional alignment. Lead planning system and data improvement initiatives including SAP and related planning tools. Influence senior stakeholders across Buying, Finance, Commercial and Digital functions to support fact-based decision making.
The Successful Applicant
- Extensive experience in merchandising leadership ideally within a complex department store or multi-brand retail environment; track record in luxury retail planning environment is a must, with fast fashion considered as secondary.
- Mandatory background in fashion retail planning, with additional beauty category exposure viewed as a strong advantage.
- Clear planning and merchandising career path - not a buying profile with limited exposure to planning functions.
- Demonstrated ownership of OTB, forecasting, budgeting and in-season inventory management across multiple categories and channels.
- Hands-on experience with SAP planning systems is highly preferred.
- Comfortable working in evolving and partially manual planning environments and leading process and system transformation.
- Highly commercial and trend-aware, able to engage credibly with Buying leadership on fashion performance and category direction.
- People-centric leadership style with experience building and developing high-performing planning teams.
Competitive package and benefits.
Director - Merchandise Planning & Commercial Inventory Strategy employer: Michael Page International
Michael Page is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds that fosters professional growth and development. With a strong focus on mentoring and team collaboration, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and a competitive salary package, including performance-based bonuses. Joining this multinational organisation means being part of a high-growth team dedicated to delivering exceptional tax compliance services across diverse sectors.
Contact Details:
Michael Page International Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director - Merchandise Planning & Commercial Inventory Strategy
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Michael Page International, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Michael Page International!
We think you need these skills to ace Director - Merchandise Planning & Commercial Inventory Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Michael Page International, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Michael Page International and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Michael Page International that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page International
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
