Trading Director

Trading Director

A well-established multisite retailer in London is seeking a highly commercial and strategic Trading Director to join its executive leadership team. This is a pivotal role for a visionary retail professional ready to drive significant growth and shape the product strategy across multiple high‑street locations.

This London‑based role will report directly to the Chief Executive and involve responsibility for the group\’s overall trading strategy, profitability, and merchandising across all product categories.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Leadership: Own and drive the overall commercial performance, sales, and gross profit of all trading divisions across the group\’s physical stores.
• Strategy & Planning: Develop and execute a compelling, customer‑focused trading strategy, including annual business and operational plans, to maximise market share and profitability.
• Buying & Merchandising: Oversee and lead the Buying and Merchandising teams, ensuring an innovative and high‑quality product selection that reflects the brand\’s identity and meets local customer needs.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Lead key negotiations with brand partners and suppliers, fostering long‑term, mutually profitable relationships.
• Operational Excellence: Ensure seamless collaboration between trading, operations, and marketing teams to deliver exceptional execution, visual standards, and customer experience.
• Team Development: Inspire, lead, and mentor a talented team, fostering a high‑performance, collaborative, and commercially‑driven culture.

The Ideal Candidate

• Proven experience at a senior leadership level (Head of Trading, Buying Director, or similar) within a UK multisite retailer.
• Exceptional commercial acumen with a demonstrable track record of driving significant sales and profit growth.
• A strategic thinker with strong analytical skills, able to translate data and market trends into actionable, profitable strategies.
• An inspirational and decisive leader, confident in influencing stakeholders at all levels, including the Board.
• Deep understanding of multi‑channel retail dynamics and the relationship between physical stores and the digital landscape.
• Based in or willing to commute to London for this executive position.

Job Details

Seniority level: Executive

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: General Business, Strategy/Planning, and Distribution

Industries: Retail, Retail Apparel and Fashion, Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Base pay range: Direct message the job poster from Sanderson King

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