Merchandiser (Love & Roses)

Location: Head Office, Tottenham Court Road, London

Working style: Hybrid

Next Wholly Owned Brands: Our growing portfolio includes Lipsy, Love & Roses, Friends Like These, Beauty at NEXT and Seraphine — all available through next.co.uk, connecting with millions of customers across the UK and beyond. At the heart of our business is a passionate team driven by creativity, innovation, and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional results. We foster a culture where individuality is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and challenging the status quo is part of how we grow.

Who are Love & Roses? Love & Roses is for the woman who isn’t afraid to push boundaries; she’ll set her own trend, with unique styles, playful prints and fabulous fabrics at her core.

Role Purpose: To maximise the profitability of the department by leading a team, working with the Buyer and suppliers to strategically plan, build, and trade commercial product ranges. The role ensures the business plan is achieved by having the right product, in the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantities.

Role Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the department strategy with the Buyer/Designer to maximise profit, by understanding customer needs and utilising strong knowledge of competitor product, pricing, and trading activity.
• Formulate and propose planning parameters by analysing past and proposed season ranges, considering the impact of sales contribution by channel.
• Manage and control the Critical Path for each phase with the Buyer, ensuring deadlines are met and proactively communicating any impact on launch position and actions taken.
• Ensure range balance by working with Buyer, Designer, and Technologist, optimising the use of trials and stock buys, and ensuring commerciality to the brand.
• Appraise and develop suppliers in conjunction with the Buyer to maintain a strong supply base.

Trading & Forecasting:

• Actively trade the department by continually reviewing performance and potentialising emerging trends to maximise profit and minimise risk.
• Manage weekly/monthly forecasts (WSSI), clearly communicating changes/impact on stock position, and controlling intake with the Buying and Technical teams to achieve optimum stock levels and minimise markdown.
• Control the intake margin to achieve plan, ensuring all orders are entered accurately and authorised promptly according to the Critical Path.
• Oversee the execution of markdowns and promotions within agreed parameters, accurately forecasting the effect on sales, stocks, and profit.
• Monitor and analyse KPI’s including returns rates and attribute analysis (sizing, price, colour), making recommendations to adjust future buys where necessary.
• Manage and develop the team, including delegating tasks, prioritising workflow, and conducting regular performance appraisals against competencies.
• Manage internal and external relationships to develop partnerships, actively contributing to the development of junior members within the function.
• Work with cross-functional teams (e.g., Supply Chain, Site Optimisation, Retail Operations) to identify opportunities to maximise profit.

Technical Requirements:

• Extensive experience across multiple fashion categories.
• Proven experience managing and developing a team.
• Experience working directly with senior leadership, possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build strong relationships across the business.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and motivate the team through challenging periods of change.
• Shows innovation by challenging existing processes and practices to drive the business forward.
• Strong knowledge of the competition’s product offer, pricing strategy and trading activity.

What we can do for you:

• 25% off a huge selection of Next, Next Wholly Owned Brands, GAP and Victoria's Secret products & 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty.
• Hot deals and exclusive offers from over 3,500 retailers through Perks At Work.
• We recognise hard work with our company performance-based bonus.
• Life Assurance.
• Join our Next Sharesave Scheme.
• Lesson the impact with our Annual Travel Card Loan.
• Never miss a package with Direct to Desk delivery.
• Bag a bargain at our sample sales.
• Hybrid & flexible working across the business to support your work-life balance.
• Learn, develop and grow with our personal development plans.
• Enjoy more time with friends and family with Early Bank Holiday finishes.
• Join in the fun with our year-round office events.

Diversity & Inclusion: We recognise that our differences are what make us who we are. We want people to want to work for us and be their true selves. We are dedicated to attracting and developing a talent team, and recognise that all unique backgrounds and experiences contribute to our future success. We want to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where individuals feel valued and respected, and where people can achieve their full potential and be their very best, whoever they are. We believe that wellbeing is having the opportunity to achieve your full potential, cope with day to day pressures, be productive and thrive in all aspects of your life. We encourage a culture that promotes and enables us all to achieve positive wellbeing, by focusing on mental, physical and financial health.