At a Glance
- Tasks: Own the wholesale channel, build relationships, and drive performance.
- Company: Join AYBL, a top women's activewear brand on a mission to empower women.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days holiday, gym membership, and a generous staff discount.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-growing company while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, budgeting, and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Ranked #1 fastest‑growing private company in the Sunday Times 100 2022, AYBL has quickly become one of the most iconic women’s activewear brands worldwide. We are a passionate, innovative and ambitious brand on a mission to empower women through the power of fitness. Based in the UK, we are dedicated to providing premium, yet affordable activewear that encompasses our ‘Together we thrive’ ethos.
About the Role
This role sits at the heart of one of our most exciting areas of growth. Our wholesale channel has expanded significantly over the past year, and we are looking for a commercially minded Merchandiser to take ownership of it — bringing energy, rigour, and strong relationships to a fast‑moving and evolving channel. Reporting directly into the Merchandising Director, you will have real influence over how wholesale performs within our business.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Wholesale Channel Ownership: Take end‑to‑end responsibility for the wholesale channel, managing performance across multiple partners. Build, manage, and maintain strong working relationships with wholesale partners, acting as the primary point of contact. Use your initiative to identify opportunities and resolve issues, without always waiting for direction. Develop a deep understanding of each partner's business needs and ensure our proposition is aligned to their goals.
- Merchandising & Planning: Plan and manage budgets for the wholesale channel, ensuring targets are set with commercial rigour. Capacity plan effectively, working across the range to ensure the right product is available in the right volume at the right time. Work with margins to protect profitability while supporting partner sell‑through and growth. Collaborate with the buying and sourcing teams to build compelling proposals for wholesale partners, ensuring range selections and phasing are commercially sound before orders are placed.
- Stakeholder & Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Build strong internal relationships across finance, supply chain, buying, and operations. Act as the connector between wholesale partners and internal teams, translating external needs into clear internal actions. Collaborate with supply chain to align on intake, lead times, and fulfilment requirements specific to wholesale. Work alongside finance to track performance and report on channel profitability.
- Process & Ways of Working: Play an active role in defining and refining how the wholesale function operates as it scales. Identify gaps in current processes and proactively put forward solutions that work for both the business and our partners. Prioritise effectively across a broad workload, keeping multiple partners and projects moving simultaneously. Be comfortable with ambiguity and change.
- People Leadership: Lead and develop a small team, providing day‑to‑day guidance, support, and mentoring. Create an environment where the team can grow alongside the channel, with increasing responsibility over time.
What We’re Looking For
- A solid merchandising background with demonstrable experience in budgeting, capacity planning, and margin management.
- Experience working in or alongside a wholesale or multi‑partner environment.
- Strong commercial instincts and the ability to interpret data to make confident, well‑reasoned decisions.
- A natural relationship builder — someone who invests in people and earns trust, both with external partners and internal colleagues.
- Excellent prioritisation skills with the ability to manage a complex and varied workload without losing sight of the detail.
- A working understanding of adjacent functions such as supply chain, finance, and buying.
Ways of Working
- Confident operating in a fast‑moving environment where not everything is defined yet.
- A proactive communicator who takes ownership and keeps the right people informed without being asked.
- Someone who leads with curiosity, builds trust quickly, and knows when to push and when to listen.
- An ability to balance the needs of the partner with the needs of the business.
Perks
- Discretionary yearly bonus
- 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays + your birthday off
- Flexible working 35 working hours per week with 1 hour lunch break
- 50% staff discount across AYBL Group
- Social events
- Pension scheme
- Free on‑site parking
- Free gym membership
- £100 gift card upon joining
- Employee wellbeing support
Location
Our home is located in Redditch, South Birmingham, with easy access routes to the M5/M42, a 20‑minute walk to the train station, as well as many bus routes.
Wholesale Merchandiser in Redditch employer: RK BRANDS LTD
AYBL is an exceptional employer that champions a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where innovation and ambition are at the forefront. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer numerous opportunities for professional development alongside a competitive benefits package, including flexible working hours, generous holiday allowances, and a supportive environment that prioritises wellbeing. Located in Redditch, our office is not only easily accessible but also surrounded by beautiful natural spaces, making it an inspiring place to thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Wholesale Merchandiser in Redditch
✨Get to Know the Industry Events
Dive into wholesale distribution trade shows and local industry meet-ups. These events are gold mines for networking and can even lead to job leads. Plus, getting face time with companies like RK BRANDS LTD can make you stand out!
✨Connect with Industry Professionals
Join online forums and communities specific to wholesale distribution. Places like LinkedIn groups or industry-specific Slack channels can put you in touch with insiders who know about the latest job openings at companies like RK BRANDS LTD before they even get posted.
✨Tailor Your Approach to Distribution Roles
When you apply for full-time roles, make sure your interactions highlight your understanding of supply chain management and logistics. Companies like RK BRANDS LTD want to see that you get the bigger picture and can contribute to their efficiency!
✨Follow Up Like a Pro
After you've sent in your application, don't be shy! Follow up with a brief message to express your enthusiasm for the role. This not only shows initiative but keeps your name fresh in the minds of recruiters at RK BRANDS LTD.
We think you need these skills to ace Wholesale Merchandiser in Redditch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Distribution Know-How:For a role in wholesale distribution, it’s crucial to highlight any experience you have with supply chain management or logistics. Make sure to detail any relevant projects or roles on your CV that show you understand how products move from point A to point B efficiently.
Quantify Your Achievements:When crafting your CV, don’t just list tasks; instead, focus on achievements that can be quantified. For example, mention how you increased delivery efficiency by a percentage or managed a specific number of vendors. Numbers stand out and prove you can make a difference at RK BRANDS LTD.
Tailored Cover Letter Approach:In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about wholesale distribution and what excites you about the specific challenges at RK BRANDS LTD. Show us you’ve done some research on the company, and mention any values or initiatives they have that resonate with you.
Highlight Team Collaboration Skills:Since wholesale distribution often requires working closely with teams, emphasise your teamwork skills in your application. Include examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with colleagues, suppliers, or stakeholders to improve operations or resolve issues.
How to prepare for a job interview at RK BRANDS LTD
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
In the wholesale distribution sector, being able to analyse market trends and inventory data is key. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled inventory management issues or implemented solutions that improved efficiency; this will show RK BRANDS LTD that you can handle the analytical side of the role.
✨Know Your Logistics Inside Out
Since logistics play a massive part in wholesale distribution, it's vital to familiarise yourself with the tools and software used in the industry, like ERP systems or supply chain management platforms. Mention any experience you have with these tools during the interview to impress RK BRANDS LTD.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that revolve around real-life situations in wholesale distribution, such as how you'd handle supply chain disruptions or manage relationships with suppliers. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies on these topics to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Long-Term Potential
As you're applying for a full-time role, RK BRANDS LTD will want to see your commitment to growing within the organisation. Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and how this role aligns with your goals, emphasising that you are in it for the long haul!