We are simplifying beauty. We’re committed to creating products and a community that inspire you to be your most confident self.
You’ll be part of a team that leads with authenticity and is empowered to shape the way we operate, creating an environment that reflects our shared values and aspirations.
We’re always vegan, cruelty and fragrance free and proud to be Leaping Bunny certified. Join us on an exciting journey to cut through an overwhelming market and create products and world-first formulas, that give our customers what they need and want simplified.
Acknowledged by The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024 & 2025.
THE ROLE
REFY now trades DTC globally and in retailers across four continents and three third party logistics sites. The commercial planning team drive the ability to trade in all these channels through sales & stock planning. The Head of Commercial Planning owns the sales forecast, the demand plan and the stock; 95%+ fulfilment as a major key results, stock targets, utilizing the Open to Buy and WSSI, product forecasts, recommended retail price alignment and promotional sign-off.
This role works with and alongside Comemrcial Accounts, Commercial Field Team, Operations, Product, Digital and Marketing. They review margin, stock and timing behind their plans, and will lead three regional commercial planning managers and their executive team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Commercial Plan, Pricing & Promotions
- Own the sales forecast, quarterly and monthly reforecasts, annual commercial plan and financial year critical path, aligned with Finance and cross-functional teams.
- Own recommended retail price alignment across existing lines and new products, working with Product and Commercial teams by region.
- Oversee the promotional calendar, gift with purchase and sampling activity, ensuring dates, mechanics, depth and funding support sales, stock and margin targets.
- Support Commercial Accounts, Ecommerce and joint business planning with clear sales, stock, margin and timing recommendations that protect the P&L.
Trading & In-Season Decisions
- Lead the weekly cross-functional trade meeting, turning sales, stock and margin insight into clear in-season actions.
- Trade the business in week, using sell-through by SKU, channel and region to identify risks and opportunities while there is still time to act.
- Own in-season trading decisions within signed stock targets, including stock movement, replenishment, allocation and markdown recommendations.
- Escalate material profit impacts and decisions above threshold to the Commercial & Operations Director.
- Minimise RTV and markdown through proactive cross-functional trading.
Demand Forecasting & Product Planning
- Build and own the rolling demand forecast by SKU, channel and region.
- Measure and improve weighted forecast accuracy per SKU, including monthly reporting against agreed targets.
- Own new product launch forecasts, NPD stock and sales planning, and phasing of lines in and out ahead of launch.
- Provide the stock, margin and SKU productivity view to support retailer range, assortment and forecast alignment decisions.
- Own stock targets, WSSI, Open to Buy and the intake plan across every region and channel.
- Maintain 95%+ fulfilment across regions and channels, setting weeks cover and safety stock by SKU and deciding allocation in shortage.
- Own the accuracy of the despatch plan across three third party logistics sites, working closely with Operations.
- Balance availability with cash tied up in stock, while protecting intake margin at SKU level.
- Own stock health, including ageing, expiry, red markdown and the stock provision forecast with Finance.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Working
- Lead and develop three regional Commercial Planning Managers and their teams, each aligned to a third party logistics site and regional commercial team.
- Build capability so the team can run their regions confidently, on time and with reduced escalation.
- Own the planning systems roadmap, including the move away from manual spreadsheets and improvement of planning data.
- Provide the Commercial & Operations Director with a clear weekly view of what is at risk, what it costs and what decision is needed.
- Coach and develop planning capability across the wider Commercial team.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- 10+ years experience in merchandising, commercial planning or demand planning within a retail, branded or consumer goods business, ideally beauty, premium consumer or a similarly stock-led environment.
- Proven ownership of stock targets, Open to Buy and WSSI as live trading tools.
- Experience trading a multi-channel business in season, including reading sell-through and taking timely corrective action.
- Track record of managing fulfilment or fill rate targets for retail partners, including identifying and resolving root causes when performance slips.
- Experience building demand forecasts and being measured on SKU-level accuracy across more than one market.
- Strong commercial understanding of margin, with the ability to show how stock and timing decisions affect gross profit.
- Proven leadership of a planning team, with experience developing, coaching and managing performance.
- Experience owning promotional and pricing plans, including measuring activity against incremental profit
- Advanced Excel skills and experience using ERP systems; NetSuite and Shopify experience would be beneficial.
- Experience implementing or improving a planning system, including reducing reliance on manual spreadsheets.
- Experience supplying prestige or major retail partners, such as Sephora, Space NK, Boots or Selfridges, including use of retailer portals and fill rate measures.
- A planning or supply chain qualification, such as APICS CPIM, CSCP or IBF CPF.
OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE
- 25+ Days Holiday: Start with 25, earn one for every year's service (up to 5)
- Extra Holidays: Option to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Sabbatical Leave: Take up to 3 months off after 4 years of service.
- Community First Day: A day to support a cause you love.
- Bonus Scheme: Rewards for your hard work and success.
- Family Leave: Enhanced support for new parents.
- EV Scheme: Drive electric with salary sacrifice options.
- Financial Coaching: Guidance to boost your money mindset.
- Flexible Religious Holidays: Flexibility to honour days that matter to you.
- Flexible Working: Flexi start and finish times with the option to work one day per week from home.
- REFY Product Perks: Annual allowance, exclusive discounts, and be the first to try new REFY products before any launches!
- Regular Social Events: Team-Building days and seasonal parties.
- Career Growth: Tailored training and development opportunities.
- Vitality Health Insurance: Health coverage with added benefits.
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Head of Commercial in Manchester employer: REFY
REFY is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant work culture where creativity and passion for beauty thrive. Located in the bustling Trafford Centre, employees enjoy flexible hours, competitive benefits, and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth within the beauty industry. Joining REFY means being part of a dynamic team that values innovation and excellence in customer service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial in Manchester
✨Get to Know Your E-commerce Community
Dive into specific e-commerce forums and groups on platforms like Reddit or Facebook. Engaging with these communities can open up opportunities and give you insights into what companies like REFY are looking for when hiring for a Head of Commercial.
✨Showcase Your Skills with an Online Portfolio
In e-commerce, a strong online presence can set you apart. Create a portfolio that highlights any projects, case studies, or even personal ventures related to e-commerce. When you apply to REFY for the Head of Commercial, a tangible demonstration of your skills could make a huge difference.
✨Attend E-commerce Events and Conferences
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✨Utilise Company Resources
Don’t forget to check out REFY’s career page for any unique application processes or opportunities that might not be listed on job boards. Applying directly through their website might give your application a bit more visibility, especially for a Head of Commercial.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your E-Commerce Savviness:When you're applying for an e-commerce role at REFY, make sure your CV reflects your familiarity with online retail platforms, digital marketing, and user experience. Highlight any relevant tools and technologies you've used, like Shopify or Google Analytics, to demonstrate that you’re well-versed in the industry.
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Metrics Matter:In the world of e-commerce, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your past experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible—like the percentage of sales growth you contributed to or successful conversion rates from marketing campaigns. This will make your application stand out and show that you're results-driven.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t forget to customise your CV and cover letter for the specific position at REFY. Use keywords from the job description, and address the unique challenges the company may face in the e-commerce space. A personalised application helps us see that you're not just applying everywhere but are genuinely interested in being part of our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at REFY
✨Show Off Your E-commerce Know-How
In a sector like e-commerce, having a strong grasp of current trends and technologies is crucial. Let’s make sure you’ve brushed up on key platforms that REFY uses—think about popular e-commerce software, digital marketing strategies, and how these affect consumer behaviour. Being able to discuss these intelligently can really set you apart.
✨Portfolio Power: Showcase Your Results
For a full-time e-commerce role, it’s key for us to present a portfolio that highlights your results rather than just your tasks. If you’ve worked on campaigns or projects, bring examples that showcase your contribution and the impact they made—use metrics if you can! This helps to illustrate your value in a real-world context.
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Get ready to tackle some technical questions related to e-commerce analytics, SEO tools, or website optimisation. Think about any past experiences where you utilised data to inform decisions or improve sales. Being prepared with specific examples will showcase not just your knowledge, but also your practical application of it, which we all know is crucial!
✨Engage in a Conversational Style
Full-time interviews can feel quite formal, but try to keep it conversational, especially if you click with your interviewers at REFY. Share your thoughts and ideas about the future of e-commerce, and don’t shy away from engaging with their questions openly. The more genuine and relatable you are, the better connection you’ll create!
