Merchandising Operations Manager
Merchandising Operations Manager

Merchandising Operations Manager

Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead merchandising operations, manage data flow, and ensure successful product launches across Europe.
  • Company: Join POP MART, a global leader in designer toys and collectibles with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy monthly toy gifts, bonuses, training programmes, and regular team social events.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, grow your skills, and make an impact in the toy industry.
  • Qualifications: 8+ years in merchandising operations; strong Excel skills; experience with data governance preferred.
  • Other info: Fluency in English required; additional European languages are a bonus.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

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

  • Product & Channel Data Governance
  • 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
  • Tool Development & System Alignment
    • 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
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration & Execution Support
    • 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.

    Merchandising Operations Manager 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.
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    Contact Detail:

    POP MART Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Merchandising Operations Manager

    Tip Number 1

    Familiarise yourself with the designer toy industry and POP MART's unique position within it. Understanding their product lines, such as Molly and Skullpanda, will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their brand.

    Tip Number 2

    Network with professionals in the merchandising and retail sectors, especially those who have experience in collectible goods. Engaging with industry events or online forums can provide insights and connections that may benefit your application.

    Tip Number 3

    Demonstrate your proficiency in data governance and tool development by preparing examples of past projects where you've successfully improved processes or systems. Be ready to discuss these during any interviews to showcase your hands-on experience.

    Tip Number 4

    Research POP MART's recent market expansions and product launches. Being knowledgeable about their strategic initiatives will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to their growth in new markets.

    We think you need these skills to ace Merchandising Operations Manager

    Data Governance
    Inventory Management
    Forecasting Skills
    Cross-Functional Collaboration
    Product Lifecycle Management
    Retail Planning Logic
    Commercial Performance Tracking
    Excel Proficiency
    Power BI
    Tableau
    Stakeholder Communication
    Process Improvement
    System Development
    Analytical Skills
    Attention to Detail

    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.

    Highlight Technical 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 data management in previous roles.

    Showcase Cross-Functional Collaboration: Include examples of how you've successfully worked with different teams in past positions. Highlight your communication skills and ability to manage relationships between HQ and local teams, as this is crucial for the role.

    How to prepare for a job interview at POP MART

    Understand the Company Culture

    Before your interview, take some time to research POP MART's culture and values. Familiarise yourself with their designer toy offerings and collaborations. This will help you align your answers with what they value in a candidate.

    Showcase Your Data Governance Skills

    Given the emphasis on data governance in the role, be prepared to discuss your experience with managing product lifecycle data and ensuring data accuracy. Bring examples of how you've improved data flow or implemented new systems in previous roles.

    Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration

    Highlight your experience working with various teams such as marketing, retail, and IT. Be ready to share specific instances where your collaboration led to successful product launches or improved processes.

    Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

    Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in merchandising operations and how you overcame them, particularly in fast-paced environments.

    Merchandising Operations Manager
    POP MART
    P
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