At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising strategy and maximise sales through effective planning and stock management.
- Company: Join the Saltrock family, a beloved British coastal lifestyle brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, a vibrant work culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Maternity cover role with potential for career development in a fun environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of a well-loved brand.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Does working for a Brand like ours excite you? If so, becoming part of the Saltrock family and being based in North Devon could be part of your next adventure! For over 30 years, Saltrock, a British coastal lifestyle brand, has had holiday, family, spirit and fun at its heart. Our inspiration flows from land and sea, waves and coastline. Designed in the South West since 1988, we have grown into a loved Devon brand known for its iconic print designs.
We are looking for a Senior Merchandiser to come aboard on a Maternity Cover contract starting in April for a minimum of 12 months. The role of the Senior Merchandiser is to support the Head of Merchandising in driving the overall merchandising strategy, maximising sales, margin, and cash through effective planning, trading, and stock management. The Senior Merchandiser will lead a team and ensure ranges are delivered with the right product, in the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity, and at the right price across all channels. The role plays a key part in shaping commercial decisions, minimising markdown risk, and delivering company KPIs while working closely with Product, Buying, and the wider business teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyse historical performance and customer behaviour to inform future product and category strategy in collaboration with the Product and Buying teams.
- Build and manage robust seasonal plans aligned to range, category, and segment strategies across all channels.
- Lead stock and intake planning, setting optimum stock targets while considering lead times, buffer stock, and channel requirements.
- Develop and manage pricing strategies in partnership with Product to achieve margin and profit targets.
- Own and contribute to WSSI planning alongside the Head of Merchandising, ensuring alignment to KPI budgets.
- Present clear, commercially focused insights and recommendations at sign-off, trade, and senior leadership meetings.
- Monitor competitor activity and market trends, challenging and influencing future product and trading strategies.
Trading & Performance Management
- Own weekly and period trading reviews, ensuring accurate forecasting of sales, stock, and intake.
- Reconcile and validate the weekly management pack, ensuring data integrity and clear commercial insight.
- Maximise performance during peak trading periods (e.g. Summer, Christmas, Sale), building plans to drive sales and mitigate risk.
- Manage promotional and markdown strategies to optimise sell-through, minimise obsolete stock, and protect margin.
- Ensure orders are placed in line with forecasts, trading performance, and ordering cycles.
Systems & Process
- Maintain expert-level knowledge of all merchandising systems, including WSSI tools.
- Ensure effective use of allocation and sales reactive systems to maximise full-price sell-through and availability.
- Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, and ways of working, driving efficiency and best practice.
- Conduct detailed data integrity and stock checks to support accurate reporting and planning.
Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop the merchandising team, ensuring high performance and clear accountability.
- Support training and progression of team members, building future merchandising capability.
- Foster strong cross-functional relationships across Product, Operations, Finance, and Digital teams.
- Take ownership of personal development and demonstrate leadership behaviours aligned with company values.
Key Skills & Experience
- Strong advanced Excel and analytical skills.
- Highly numerate with strong commercial acumen.
- Proven experience in a Head Office merchandising environment.
- Sound understanding of critical path, product lifecycle, and stock management.
- Confident communicator with strong presentation skills.
- Experience managing and developing a team.
- Ability to prioritise and manage a heavy workload in a fast-paced environment.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and solutions-focused.
- Strong organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Flexible, confident, and enthusiastic approach.
- Experience working in a multi-channel retail environment (store and eCommerce).
- Knowledge of Futura, QlikView, or similar merchandising and BI systems.
