At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning and merchandising of luxury collections, ensuring creativity meets commercial success.
- 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: Exciting opportunity to drive innovation in a growing brand.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of a prestigious fashion brand.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in luxury fashion merchandising with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ 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 Slough employer: Really Wild Clothing
Really Wild Clothing is an exceptional employer that champions craftsmanship and timeless style, offering a dynamic work environment between our Theale HQ and London Boutique/Showroom. We foster a collaborative culture that values creativity and operational excellence, providing ample opportunities for professional growth within the luxury fashion sector. Join us to be part of a brand that not only celebrates British elegance but also prioritises sustainability and ethical practices in its operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Range Planning & Merchandising in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fashion industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for luxury fashion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your insights on current trends and how they relate to Really Wild's brand ethos. This will show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets the brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s collections and understanding their market position. Bring ideas to the table about how you can contribute to their growth and operational excellence. This proactive approach will definitely make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Really Wild team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Range Planning & Merchandising in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Fashion:When writing your application, let your love for luxury fashion shine through! Share your experiences and how they connect with Really Wild's ethos of craftsmanship and timeless style. We want to see your enthusiasm for the brand and the role!
Be Specific About Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in merchandising and range planning. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in managing collections and leading teams. We appreciate clarity and detail, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application:Just like you would tailor a beautiful garment, tailor your application to fit the role. Align your skills and experiences with the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and understand what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and you’ll be on your way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Really Wild Clothing
✨Know Your Collections
Before the interview, dive deep into Really Wild's past collections. Understand their design ethos, fabric choices, and how they align with the brand's heritage. This knowledge will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to their collection architecture and seasonal range strategy.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss your experience in merchandising and range planning. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built commercially balanced ranges or optimised inventory management in previous roles. Highlight your analytical skills by discussing how you've used sales data to inform future collection planning.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a potential leader of the Design Team, it's crucial to showcase your leadership style. Prepare anecdotes that illustrate how you've successfully managed creative teams, driven collaboration, and ensured timely execution of projects. Emphasise your ability to balance creativity with operational discipline.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the luxury fashion market, especially trends affecting womenswear and premium heritage brands. Be prepared to discuss how you would support Really Wild's international growth and product diversification. Showing that you understand the broader business context will set you apart as a candidate.
