At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning and merchandising of luxury fashion collections, ensuring strategic alignment and operational excellence.
- Company: Join a British luxury heritage brand known for craftsmanship and timeless style.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming a renowned brand during an exciting growth phase.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in luxury fashion merchandising with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Working between Theale HQ and London Boutique/Showroom
Reporting to: Managing Director
Direct Reports: Design Team, Production Team
Department: Product, Merchandising & Production
About Really Wild Clothing: We are a British luxury heritage brand rooted in craftsmanship, timeless style, and the connection between country and city living. The brand combines refined tailoring, heritage fabrics, and contemporary femininity to create collections that celebrate British elegance, quality, and authenticity.
As the company enters its next phase of growth and international brand elevation, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Range Planning & Merchandising to lead the strategic and operational management of the collection lifecycle across design, merchandising, sourcing, production, and delivery.
Role Overview: The Head of Range Planning & Merchandising will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end planning, development, merchandising, production, and delivery of all Really Wild collections. This individual will act as the operational and commercial bridge between creative vision, product development, production execution, sales performance, inventory management, and financial objectives. The role requires a highly strategic, commercially minded, operationally rigorous, and detail-oriented luxury fashion professional with strong experience in merchandising, collection architecture, production planning, and team leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collection & Range Planning Strategy: Lead the overall collection architecture and seasonal range strategy across Country, Hybrid, City, Outerwear, Knitwear, Tailoring, Dresses, Occasion-wear, and Accessories. Build commercially balanced ranges aligned with brand positioning, margin targets, sales forecasts, customer demand, wholesale opportunities, e-commerce performance, and retail needs. Define SKU count targets, category mix, colour architecture, fabric strategy, price architecture, and depth by style. Analyse historical sales performance and customer behaviour to optimise future collection planning. Ensure collections remain cohesive, elevated, timeless, and commercially viable.
- Merchandising & Commercial Management: Own the merchandising calendar and seasonal critical path. Develop detailed buy and assortment plans across retail, e-commerce, wholesale, pop-ups, and international expansion. Monitor sell-through, margins, stock turn, category performance, and size curves. Work closely with Finance and Sales to forecast revenue, inventory requirements, and cash flow implications. Ensure strong inventory discipline and minimise overstock risk.
- Design Team Leadership: Lead and manage the Design Team to ensure creative excellence and timely execution. Ensure all collections align with brand DNA, seasonal storytelling, commercial objectives, and margin requirements. Oversee collection reviews, design signoffs, fabric approvals, fittings, and final style edits. Create structure and discipline around seasonal deadlines and sampling timelines. Drive collaboration between design, merchandising, and production teams.
- Production & Supply Chain Oversight: Oversee the Production Team and all supplier/manufacturer relationships. Manage production planning from sampling through final delivery. Monitor costings, margins, delivery schedules, and quality standards. Improve operational systems, reporting, and workflow efficiencies. Maintain supplier relationships aligned with sustainability and ethical standards.
- Critical Path & Operational Excellence: Build and maintain rigorous seasonal critical paths across all departments. Lead weekly cross-functional meetings to track progress and drive accountability. Establish clear reporting systems and KPIs. Implement best-in-class operational discipline and process management.
- Strategic Business Contribution: Contribute to the long-term strategic growth of the business. Support international growth, wholesale expansion, product diversification, and operational scalability. Provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership. Participate in budgeting and seasonal financial planning.
Key Performance Indicators:
- On-time collection delivery
- Margin achievement
- Stock turn improvement
- Reduction in production delays
- Improved sell-through rates
- Inventory optimization
- Team performance and accountability
Candidate Profile:
- 10+ years' experience in luxury fashion merchandising, range planning, buying, or production leadership.
- Strong womenswear luxury or premium heritage fashion experience.
- Proven track record managing both creative and operational teams.
- Deep understanding of collection architecture, merchandising strategy, production timelines, inventory management, and margin planning.
- Exceptional organisational and leadership skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a hands-on approach.
Personal Attributes:
- Highly disciplined and structured
- Commercially intelligent
- Creative yet analytical
- Detail-oriented
- Solutions-driven
- Collaborative
- Resilient and calm under pressure
This is a unique opportunity to play a transformative leadership role within an evolving British luxury heritage brand during an exciting growth phase.
Head of Range Planning & Merchandising in London employer: Really Wild Clothing
Really Wild Clothing is an exceptional employer that champions craftsmanship and timeless style, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth and development, team members benefit from hands-on leadership opportunities and the chance to contribute to the brand's international expansion. Located between Theale HQ and London Boutique/Showroom, employees enjoy a dynamic environment that blends the charm of British heritage with contemporary fashion innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Range Planning & Merchandising in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend fashion events, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their collections, values, and market position. We want to see you shine, so come armed with insights and ideas that align with Really Wild's vision!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring a portfolio of your past work to interviews. Highlight your achievements in range planning and merchandising. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in previous roles!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who resonate with our brand ethos.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Range Planning & Merchandising in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Head of Range Planning & Merchandising role. Highlight your experience in luxury fashion merchandising and collection architecture to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate how you've improved sell-through rates, managed inventory, or led successful teams in previous roles. This will help us understand your potential contributions.
Be Authentic:We love authenticity! Let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for luxury fashion and how it connects with our brand values. This is your chance to show us why you’re excited about joining Really Wild Clothing.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us directly, apply through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Really Wild Clothing
✨Know the Brand Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Really Wild Clothing's history, values, and recent collections. Understanding their craftsmanship and how they blend country and city living will help you connect your experience to their brand ethos.
✨Prepare Your Strategic Insights
Think about how you can contribute to their collection architecture and merchandising strategy. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed product lifecycles or improved inventory management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Range Planning & Merchandising, you'll be leading teams. Prepare to share your approach to team management, collaboration, and how you've driven creative excellence while meeting commercial objectives in previous positions.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions that demonstrate your understanding of the role and the brand's future. Inquire about their plans for international growth or how they maintain sustainability in their supply chain, showing your genuine interest in their strategic direction.
