Merchandiser

Overview

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

• Planning & Strategy: 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.

Essential

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

• Desirable
• Experience working in a multi-channel retail environment (store and eCommerce)
• Knowledge of Futura, QlikView, or similar merchandising and BI systems

Reporting to: Head of Merchandising

Skills: Excellent Excel skills; High attention to detail and accuracy; Highly Numerate – able to quickly and accurately review data and identify logical next steps; Interpersonal skills – be enthusiastic, approachable and able to communicate effectively with all levels of the business; To be a strong team player whilst being able to use your own initiative; Great communication skills (written & verbal) and the ability to influence, including Directors of the business