At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the product lifecycle and create a vibrant retail experience at the Design Museum.
- Company: Join the world’s leading contemporary design museum with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, hybrid working, and discounts at museum shops and cafes.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a commitment to diversity in the workplace.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail in a creative environment while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior buying and merchandising, with a flair for creativity.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 48000 £ per year.
The Design Museum is the world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design in all its forms, supported by a diverse Commercial & Operations directorate. As part of our Commercial Transformation 2029 strategy, we have created a new Senior Product & Merchandising Manager role to help deliver our Shop DESIGN, Support CHANGE vision. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the end‑to‑end retail and licensing product lifecycle and shape a creative, commercially successful retail experience.
About the role
The Senior Product & Merchandising Manager leads the product vision, developing and delivering a clear product strategy, aligning buying and merchandising plans to drive income growth, profitability and long‑term brand value. Working closely with Buying, Merchandising and Operations, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering the strategic transformation of the museum’s retail offer.
Key areas of focus include:
- Leading the delivery of the product pillar within the commercial transformation strategy, defining and executing a cohesive implementation plan.
- Shaping and integrating partnerships within the wider product strategy, including licensing, limited editions, touring/B2B and ecommerce exclusives.
- Benchmarking trends, materials, market developments and competitor retail, sharing insights to inform product direction.
- Overseeing the delivery and embedding of commercial brand guidelines, ensuring clarity, cohesion and a consistent visual language.
- Overseeing delivery of buying and merchandising targets and overall retail KPIs, including income, profit, conversion and average transaction value.
About you
We are looking for someone who brings:
- Strong creative flair and the ability to excite and influence others about a clear product vision.
- Experience as a senior buyer and product developer, ideally within a cultural setting, with an interest in design.
- Demonstrable merchandising experience in a fast‑paced environment.
- A commercially aware approach, with a proven track record of achieving targets, negotiating terms and maintaining strong supplier and stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent communication skills, including managing complex external relationships.
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise a complex workload in a changing environment with tight deadlines.
Terms and Conditions
Salary: up to £48,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours/5 days per week
Location: the Design Museum Kensington is the place of work - with a hybrid arrangement of 60% of an employee’s role to be performed at the museum and 40% remote.
Permanent - Full-time
Benefits
- 25 days holiday, rising to 26 days (after two years' of service) and 27 days (after five years' of service)
- Hybrid working, 60% museum, 40% remote and annually two weeks fully remote
- Core hours and flexible working, including part-time and compressed hours
- Season ticket loan, tenancy deposit loan, cycle to work scheme
- Access to a defined contribution pension scheme
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Free museum entry for friends and family
- Discounts in the museum shops and cafes
- Free entry to other galleries and museums
The museum pro-actively seeks to collaborate with institutional partners, individuals, and networks to realise its commitment to build a culturally diverse workforce. We positively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and consider candidates who are suitably qualified and eligible regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Senior Product & Merchandising Manager in London employer: the Design Museum
The Design Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in the heart of Kensington. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and unique benefits such as free museum entry for friends and family, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the world of contemporary design.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product & Merchandising Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and vision, especially how they align with your experience. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on showcasing your creative flair and commercial awareness, as these are key for the Senior Product & Merchandising Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product & Merchandising Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Creative Flair:Make sure to highlight your creative vision in your application. We want to see how you can excite and influence others with your ideas, so don’t hold back on showcasing your unique approach to product development!
Tailor Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on your background in merchandising and product development, especially in cultural settings. We’re looking for someone who understands the nuances of this environment, so make it clear how your past roles align with our needs.
Communicate Clearly:Your communication skills are key! Use your application to demonstrate how you’ve managed complex relationships in the past. We want to see examples of how you’ve successfully collaborated with stakeholders and suppliers.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at the Design Museum
✨Know Your Product Vision
Before the interview, take some time to really understand the product vision of the Design Museum. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led product strategies in the past.
✨Showcase Your Creative Flair
This role requires a strong creative flair, so come prepared with ideas that excite you! Bring along examples of past projects where your creativity made a significant impact, and be ready to share how you can bring that same energy to the museum's retail experience.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Make sure you can talk about your track record in achieving targets and negotiating terms. Prepare to discuss how you've driven income growth and profitability in previous roles, as this will show that you understand the commercial side of merchandising.
✨Communicate Effectively
Excellent communication skills are key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing complex relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. Consider preparing a few questions to ask the interviewers to demonstrate your interest and engagement.
