At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive commercial performance through strategic buying and data-led merchandising.
- Company: Join a dynamic fashion brand with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities to mentor junior team members.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the fashion industry while working with creative teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in buying and merchandising within womenswear fashion is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
The multi-channel Buying and Merchandising Manager plays a key role in driving the commercial performance of the Needle & Thread collections across all channels including UK and US warehouses, our online business and our UK flagship store on The King’s Road. The role combines strategic buying input with data led merchandising execution, focusing on effective range planning, category development, in-season trading, and stock management. You will balance creative product storytelling with commercial discipline to support brand vision, customer demand, and financial targets. Working closely with Design, Production, Wholesale, eCommerce, Retail and Marketing teams, you will support the end-to-end merchandising lifecycle – from seasonal planning and category strategy through to in-season trading – ensuring product is well positioned, commercially optimised, and delivered in line with brand and financial objectives.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Merchandising, Buying and Category Strategy
- Contribute to the development of seasonal product strategy and category evolution, using performance data, customer insights, and market analysis to shape commercially balanced ranges.
- Support the creation of regional product strategies, ensuring sensitivity to the UK, US and wholesale market differences.
- Work closely with Design on the seasonal edit, SKU count and depth allocation by category, ensuring appropriate breadth and depth to maximise sell-through and margin.
- Work closely with the CFO on financial frameworks and OTB alignment to ensure category plans meet commercial and profitable targets.
- Assist in maintaining clear pricing and margin architecture across categories.
- Ensure transparency and clarity of category performance reporting to C‑Suite, supporting informed strategic decision‑making.
- Support Production and Supply Chain teams with critical path tracking and delivery management.
- Trading and Multi‑Channel Performance
- Manage OTB, sales forecasts, and intake plans across channels in line with agreed budgets.
- Analyse weekly and seasonal performance, identifying trading risks and opportunities.
- Support in‑season trading actions including re‑orders, stock rebalancing, and markdown activity.
- Ensure optimal stock flow, size curves, and availability to maximise sell‑through and margin.
- Partner with E‑commerce and Retail teams to optimise product launches, on‑site presentation and in‑season performance.
- Reporting and Analysis
- Produce clear weekly and seasonal sales, stock, and intake reports.
- Track and interpret KPIs including sell‑through, margin, stock turn, availability and regional performance.
- Provide transparent and commercially robust reporting to senior leadership, supporting strategic planning and seasonal hindsight analysis.
- Use trading insights, customer data, and wholesale performance to inform future range planning and merchandising decisions.
- Team and Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with Buying and Merchandising colleagues, supporting day‑to‑day delivery and development.
- Support junior team members through knowledge‑sharing and coaching, where required.
- Partner closely with Marketing to support key product stories, launches, and campaigns.
- Liaise with Supply Chain and Production to manage deliveries, stock risks and trading requirements.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Solid experience in a buying and merchandising role within womenswear fashion, with exposure to multi‑channel or digital‑first environments.
- A strong understanding of key digital and retail channels and how they contribute to overall business performance.
- Commercially and analytically minded, with hands‑on experience supporting in‑season trading and merchandising decisions in line with wider business strategy.
- Experience working with eCommerce platforms and analytics tools such as Shopify Plus and Google Analytics.
- Highly organized with strong planning skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Comfortable working with data to identify risks, opportunities and actionable insights.
- Able to work proactively and independently while collaborating effectively with cross‑functional teams.
- Experience supporting or managing junior team members is an advantage.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Digitally savvy, commercially aware, and confident operating in a dynamic fashion environment.
Salary £60k - £65k, depending on experience.
Buying and Merchandising Manager employer: Needle & Thread
Needle & Thread is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, particularly for the Buying and Merchandising Manager role. With a focus on employee growth and development, we offer opportunities to engage with cross-functional teams and contribute to strategic decision-making in a fast-paced fashion environment. Our commitment to innovation and excellence, combined with competitive salaries and a supportive atmosphere, makes us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the heart of London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buying and Merchandising Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 products. Understand their brand vision and how your skills can contribute to their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in buying and merchandising aligns with their needs. Highlight your analytical skills and any successful projects you've led that demonstrate your ability to drive commercial performance.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and are familiar with our processes.
We think you need these skills to ace Buying and Merchandising Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Buying and Merchandising Manager role. Highlight your experience in buying, merchandising, and any relevant data analysis skills. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in merchandising and how you’ve driven commercial performance. Let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data-led decision making, make sure to highlight your analytical skills. Mention any tools you've used, like Google Analytics or Shopify Plus, and how you've applied data insights to improve performance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Needle & Thread
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Buying and Merchandising Manager, you'll need to be comfortable with data. Brush up on key metrics like sell-through rates, stock turn, and margin percentages. Be ready to discuss how you've used these figures in past roles to drive commercial success.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've contributed to seasonal product strategies or category evolution. Highlight your experience with market analysis and customer insights, and be ready to explain how these have shaped your merchandising decisions.
✨Collaboration is Key
This role involves working closely with various teams. Think of specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with design, production, or marketing. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and support cross-functional projects.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-time trading situations. Prepare to discuss how you would handle stock rebalancing or markdown activities based on performance data. This will show your analytical thinking and adaptability.
