At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and performance across six iconic brands in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Sanderson Design Group, a luxury interior design house with over 165 years of heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with cross-functional teams and drive innovative solutions in a creative setting.
- Why this job: Shape the future of luxury design while making a real impact on product performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and a degree or equivalent experience.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
Reports to: Head of Merchandising & Product Strategy
Location: Chiswick (Hybrid)
Department: Merchandising & Product
Contract Type: Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract (FTC)
Role Overview: As Lead Product & Performance Manager, you’ll own the product portfolio across Sanderson Design Group’s six brands – shaping the range plans, budgets and commercial strategy that turn our design heritage into strong, sustainable sales performance. Working closely with the Head of Merchandising & Product Strategy, the Design Director and colleagues across Design, Supply Chain, Finance and Marketing, you’ll make sure every collection we bring to market is right for our customers, delivered on budget and built to perform. It’s a role for someone equally comfortable setting long-term product strategy and getting into the detail of range planning and analysis – and who enjoys leading cross-functional teams towards a shared commercial goal.
About Us: Sanderson Design Group plc is a luxury interior design house, home to six iconic brands with over 165 years of history: Sanderson, Morris & Co., Harlequin, Zoffany, Clarke & Clarke, and Scion. Our portfolio spans fabric, wallpaper, and paint, with manufacturing capabilities through Anstey and Standfast & Barracks. Our purpose is to ‘bring the beautiful into people’s homes and lives’ and we are the proud owner of one of Europe’s largest design archives, with over 75,000 historical documents and artworks. We also have a growing international licensing programme which supports our strategic global expansion.
Responsibilities:
- Product Strategy & Range Planning: Partner with the Head of Merchandising & Product Strategy and the Design Director to define, agree and deliver product budgets, collection direction and the wider product road map. Own the three-year product plan, and ensure range architecture for each brand reflects performance history and where the real growth opportunities lie. Balance commercial ambition with focus – maximising sales potential while reducing SKU count. Plan, source, buy and supply new product designed to outperform historical sales and profit, in line with budget.
- Commercial Performance & Analysis: Oversee brand range plans to hit Group KPI targets for sales revenue, margin and markdown. Own intake margin for new product ranges by brand, and use sales, SKU and rebook analysis to sharpen future decisions. Act as the key contact for Finance on ROI, budgets and forecasting across collections and brands. Produce the analysis that underpins brand and collection reviews, and enables successful range planning and product sign-off.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Represent Merchandising at product and stage-gate sign-off meetings and at brand/collection reviews with Directors and the CEO. Chair the stage-gate meeting, holding departments to account on launch plans and progress against timelines. Shape the design brief with clear direction on market needs and sales goals tied to the ROI plan. Work with the Head of Merchandising & Product Strategy on production forecasts for new collections, and with Marketing to align the marketing calendar with launches and stock levels for likely best-sellers. Keep brand positioning, market research and competitor analysis current, presenting findings when needed with support from the Product Planner.
- Process, Systems & Continuous Improvement: Keep product status coding accurate and up to date, season on season. Champion efficient, low-waste ways of working – regularly reviewing processes and automating routine activity where it makes sense, always looking to raise the bar on quality and efficiency. Keep data accurate across the systems the team relies on, using it to spot bottlenecks, diagnose root causes and drive improvement.
- Team & Wider Contribution: Develop and support the Product Planning team. Take on ad hoc projects for the Head of Merchandising & Product Strategy, and deputise where needed.
Skills & Experience:
- Experience & Know-How: Significant merchandising experience, ideally at Senior Merchandiser, Buyer or Planner level. Solid track record in range planning, forecasting and managing Open-to-Buy (OTB). Advanced Excel skills, with the confidence to pick up new systems quickly.
- How You Work: A logical, analytical and commercially minded approach – comfortable turning data into decisions, and confident with the financial drivers of the business. Strong planning and organisational skills, able to think strategically as well as manage the day-to-day. A clear, confident communicator and influencer at all levels, from the shop floor to the boardroom. Resilient under pressure and deadlines, and comfortable managing change and ambiguity. Genuine attention to detail, paired with a customer-first mindset – you understand our retailers and end consumers, and keep them front of mind.
Qualifications: Degree-level educated, or equivalent experience gained on the job.
Values & Behaviours:
- Intrepid: Provide clarity, encouragement and meaningful feedback to help us move forward with purpose and positivity.
- Imaginative: Lead with curiosity, coach and encourage teams to be resourceful and think beyond the obvious to drive meaningful, creative outcomes.
- Respectful: Proactively consider and take responsibility for how decisions and leadership approach impact the team, the wider Group dynamics and performance.
Lead Product & Performance Manager - FTC in London employer: Sanderson Design Group
At Sanderson Design Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Located in Loughborough, our team enjoys a supportive environment with ample opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside competitive benefits that enhance work-life balance. Join us to be part of a legacy that brings beauty into people's homes while working with passionate individuals dedicated to delivering outstanding customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product & Performance Manager - FTC in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product & Performance Manager - FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Sanderson Design Group and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Design Group
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Sanderson Design Group will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Sanderson Design Group.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Sanderson Design Group.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Sanderson Design Group. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
