At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Market Merchandising team for Speedo across EMEA, driving strategic direction and operational delivery.
- Company: Join Pentland Brands, a family business behind iconic active and lifestyle brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, generous holiday allowance, and product discounts.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture that values integrity, energy, and ambition.
- Why this job: Shape the future of merchandising with innovation and data-driven strategies at a leading swimwear brand.
- Qualifications: Deep experience in merchandising or commercial leadership with P&L ownership.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We’re Pentland Brands
a global family business behind some of the world’s most iconic active and lifestyle brands.
We bring integrity, energy and ambition to our work, setting high standards and striving to deliver great outcomes without ego.
At Speedo, product has to do more than look good.
It has to move with the swimmer, feel comfortable in the water and support performance, confidence and freedom of movement, whether someone is training, competing, learning or simply enjoying the swim.
As the Head of Market Merchandising for Speedo, you will lead the dedicated Market Merchandising team across EMEA, acting as the most senior authority for the brand in the region.
This role bridges Global Product Creation & Commercial, requiring a comprehensive understanding of global and regional product strategies, consumer data, pricing analytics, and market behaviour.
You will shape the strategic direction and operational delivery of assortments, pricing, and forecasting for Speedo in EMEA, ensuring every decision drives brand elevation, top-line growth, and margin improvement.
Partnering with global and regional functions, you will embed data-led, consumer-first merchandising frameworks, operate as a visible cross-functional leader with direct P&L accountability, and lead the evolution of merchandising capabilities through digital tools, AI, and future-fit operating models as Speedo scales across EMEA.
What you’ll be doing
- Champion the use of consumer, competitor, and market insight in every merchandising decision.
- Turn competitor benchmarking and trend analysis into clear, actionable plans.
- Define and govern EMEA pricing frameworks across channels, tiers, and markets.
- Own final pricing decisions that balance value, competitiveness, and profitability.
- Lead the seasonal and long-term assortment architecture for Speedo across EMEA.
- Own segmentation, range breadth, and strategic focus across DTC and wholesale channels.
- Own the forecast input process with Commercial & Planning, driving accountability for forecast accuracy.
- Own EMEA margin delivery and merchandising’s contribution to revenue and profit.
- Drive financial scenario planning and embed forecasting rigour across the function.
- Lead the transformation of merchandising into an AI-enabled, insight-driven function.
- Pilot and embed scalable tools and planning processes that future-proof the team.
- Represent Market Merchandising in strategic forums and planning reviews.
- Build trusted relationships across Product Creation, Marketing, Planning, Commercial, and DTC.
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing, multi-country team of Market Merchandisers.
- Shape talent strategy and build career pathways for future merchandising leaders.
What you’ll bring
- Deep experience in merchandising or commercial leadership across EMEA markets.
- Proven track record leading assortment, pricing, and forecasting strategies with full P&L ownership.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence matrixed stakeholders.
- Familiarity with competitive landscapes in swimwear, sports, and lifestyle sectors.
- Strategic, big-picture thinker with sharp commercial attention to detail.
- Collaborative leader who builds alignment and inspires confidence across teams.
- Data-driven and proactive, always looking for margin, efficiency, and growth.
- A genuine passion for innovation and building future-fit merchandising capability, brought to life with the curiosity, ownership, and collaborative spirit that define our Pentland culture.
Why Speedo?
Speedo is one of the world’s most iconic swimwear brands, built on a heritage of innovation, performance and a lifelong love of swimming.
From elite competition to everyday fitness, leisure and learning, Speedo creates product for every type of swimmer.
It is a brand trusted in the water because it understands what matters: fit, movement, comfort, durability, confidence and performance.
Joining Speedo means becoming part of a team that cares deeply about helping people feel at home in the water, whether they are chasing a personal best, building confidence, training regularly or discovering the joy of swimming for the first time.
We offer a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, hybrid working, flexible start and finish times, generous holiday allowance, product discounts, sample sales, enhanced family-friendly policies, healthcare support, gym and fitness discounts, cycle to work scheme and electric car scheme.
You can find full details of our benefits and perks on our UK Benefits page.
The Interview Process
We want our interview process to feel clear, straightforward, and supportive.
If your experience and expectations look like a strong match for the role, here’s what you can expect next:
- Talent Team Intro Call
- A 30-minute video call with our Talent Team to get to know each other, talk through the role and your experience, and answer any questions you have.
Experience Interview
- A more in-depth interview (usually online) with the hiring manager to explore your skills, experience and approach, and how these align with the role, our principles, and our ways of working.
- Final Interview
- A final in-person interview at our office, focused on deeper discussion and practical application, giving you the chance to meet more of the team and see Pentland Brands in action.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Market Merchandising - Speedo employer: Pentland Brands
At Pentland Brands, we pride ourselves on being a global family business that champions integrity, energy, and ambition in everything we do. As a Senior Product & Design Manager at Mitre, you'll be part of a passionate team dedicated to creating high-quality football products that resonate with players and communities alike. We offer a supportive work culture with flexible working arrangements, generous benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the world of sport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Market Merchandising - Speedo
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Pentland Brands and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Pentland Brands are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Pentland Brands on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Pentland Brands. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Market Merchandising - Speedo
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Pentland Brands. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Pentland Brands:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Pentland Brands’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pentland Brands
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Pentland Brands will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Pentland Brands, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.
