At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising operations, manage data flow, and ensure successful product launches across Europe.
- Company: Join POP MART, a leading designer toy company known for its innovative collectibles and collaborations with top brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy monthly toy gifts, a bonus scheme, training programs, and regular team social events.
- Other info: Fluency in English required; additional European languages are a bonus.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic, multicultural team and grow your expertise in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in merchandising operations; strong Excel skills; experience with planning systems is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Industry: Designer toys and collectible pieces
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Job type: Full time Permanent
About POP MART
Founded in 2010, POP MART is a market-leading entertainment company and a global champion of designer toy culture. Through global artist development, IP operations, and designer toy culture evangelism, we have built an integrated platform covering the entire designer toy value chain. Besides our original and iconic IPs such as Molly, Hirono, Skullpanda, and LABUBU, POP MART collaborates with top-tier toys and lifestyle brands including Disney, Universal Studios, and Sanrio to create collectible art toys featuring their iconic characters. POP MART has established a strong presence across key European markets, including the UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany and Spain. As part of our strategic growth initiatives, we are focused on expanding our retail network into additional high-potential markets across Europe, continuing to strengthen our brand's position in the region.
What to Expect
- Take full category-level ownership of forecasts and inventory flow across multiple European markets
- Work across cross-functional teams, including HQ, supply chain, retail, and business development
- Play a key role in ensuring product launches are commercially successful and inventory risks are proactively managed
- Grow your expertise in regional assortment planning, demand analysis, and product lifecycle decision-making
- Join a supportive, ambitious merchandising team with clear development pathways
Benefits
- Selected POP MART toys as appreciation gifts every month
- A structured bonus scheme in line with the company’s and the individual’s performance
- Comprehensive training and development programs
- Regular team social events
- Paid rest breaks
The Role and Candidate
We are hiring an EU Merchandising Operations Manager to lead the setup, structure, and governance of data, tools, and processes that enable effective merchandising across the region. You will ensure product, stock, and sales data is accurate, timely, and usable, helping the team plan better, execute faster, and review performance more clearly. Reporting to the Head of Merchandising (Europe), you will act as a key interface between local teams and HQ functions including Product and IP. You will drive initiatives to clean up data flow, automate repetitive tasks, and build scalable planning infrastructure. This is a senior hands-on role that blends system thinking, operational rigour, and strong business awareness.
Responsibilities
- Design and enforce business rules for merchandising data including SKU setup, product lifecycle tagging, and channel attributes
- Ensure accurate and timely handover of product information from HQ IP/Product teams to local market tools
- Define data responsibilities, approval checkpoints, and audit processes for planning-critical fields
- Identify recurring issues in data flow and lead process fixes to improve visibility, accountability, and reliability
- Build and maintain trackers, templates, and dashboards for launch calendars, stock visibility, sales monitoring, and ageing reviews
- Partner with IT and Planning teams to automate processes, reduce duplication, and improve data version control
- Lead user testing and rollout of new tools or enhancements, ensuring adoption and fit for purpose
- Maintain clear documentation of tools, data standards, and how processes link across functions
- Act as the regional operations lead for merchandising systems and reporting tools
- Liaise with Planning, Retail, Marketing, and HQ teams to ensure data flows are aligned and support timely execution
- Support new market entry, store openings, and campaign readiness by coordinating system inputs and launch prep
- Build and reinforce routines for pre- and post-launch review to ensure insights are captured and used in planning
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 8 years of experience in merchandising operations, data governance, or planning systems within retail or consumer goods
- Deep understanding of product lifecycle data, retail planning logic, and commercial performance tracking
- High proficiency in Excel; experience with Power BI, Tableau, or planning systems is a strong plus
- Proven ability to build tools, structure information, and streamline cross-functional processes
- Strong stakeholder communication and confidence managing both HQ and market-level interactions
- Fluent in English; additional European languages are a plus
Desirable but Not Essential
- Experience in fast-paced retail categories such as fashion, lifestyle, or collectible goods
- Familiarity with ERP or PIM systems, including data model design or workflow mapping
- Track record of leading system improvement or cross-market implementation projects
- Interest in structured operations, information architecture, or consumer product analytics
Your Application
If the opportunity sounds interesting to you, please apply with your updated CV via “Apply Now” or email to eu.hr@popmart.com.
Merchandising Operations Manager in City of London employer: POP MART
At POP MART, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer in the designer toy industry, located in the vibrant Canary Wharf, London. Our multicultural team fosters a collaborative work culture that encourages creativity and professional growth, offering comprehensive training programmes and clear development pathways. With unique benefits such as monthly appreciation gifts and a structured bonus scheme, we ensure our employees feel valued and motivated to contribute to our exciting journey of expanding the designer toy culture across Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandising Operations Manager in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with POP MART's product lines and their unique selling points. Understanding the designer toy culture and the specific IPs they work with will help you demonstrate your passion and knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the merchandising and retail sectors, especially those who have experience in collectible goods. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed data governance or improved processes in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific tools you've used, like Excel or Power BI, to highlight your technical proficiency.
✨Tip Number 4
Research current trends in the designer toy market and be prepared to discuss how these trends could impact POP MART's operations. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and strategic thinking during the interview process.
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandising Operations Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in merchandising operations, data governance, and retail planning. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of POP MART's business model and your passion for designer toys. Mention specific experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Skills:Emphasise your proficiency in Excel and any experience with tools like Power BI or Tableau. Provide examples of how you've used these skills to improve processes or drive results in previous roles.
Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration:Discuss your experience working with various teams, such as IT, marketing, and retail. Illustrate how you have successfully managed stakeholder communication and facilitated collaboration in past projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at POP MART
✨Know Your Data
As a Merchandising Operations Manager, you'll be dealing with a lot of data. Brush up on your knowledge of product lifecycle data and retail planning logic. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Experience
This role requires collaboration across various teams. Highlight your experience working with different departments like supply chain, marketing, and IT. Share specific examples of how you’ve successfully managed cross-functional projects.
✨Demonstrate Tool Proficiency
Familiarity with tools like Excel, Power BI, or Tableau is crucial. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them to streamline processes or improve data visibility in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare scenarios where you've identified data flow issues or improved processes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
