Head of Merchandising in London

Head of Merchandising in London

London Full-Time 100000 £ / year No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and innovate merchandising strategies for a heritage FMCG and homeware retailer.
  • Company: A 100-year-old brand with an entrepreneurial culture and minimal bureaucracy.
  • Benefits: Strong benefits package, autonomy in decision-making, and a values-driven environment.
  • Why this job: Make a lasting impact while modernising a respected retailer's approach to merchandising.
  • Qualifications: Senior merchandising experience and a hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset.
  • Other info: Join a close-knit team where trust and accountability are key.

Interested in learning more about this job? Scroll down and find out what skills, experience and educational qualifications are needed.

FMCG & Homeware Retailer | Entrepreneurial Culture | Heritage Brand

Take ownership. Cut through red tape. Help a 100-year-old retailer think like a challenger brand.

We're working with a well-established FMCG and homeware retailer with over 100 years of heritage - a business that has stood the test of time by doing the right thing for its customers, colleagues and communities.

Now, they're looking for a Head of Merchandising to help take the business into its next phase of growth - scaling the operation, modernising how things are done, and bringing a more agile, entrepreneurial way of thinking to merchandising.

This is not a corporate, heavily layered environment. It's a business that values ownership, common sense and action.

The Opportunity

As Head of Merchandising, you will have the freedom and authority to shape the function and influence the wider business. You'll be trusted to:

  • Own and evolve the merchandising strategy across FMCG and homeware
  • Lead, coach and empower a high-performing merchandising team
  • Drive commercial performance across a predominantly brick & mortar estate
  • Challenge legacy thinking and introduce smarter, more agile ways of working
  • Work closely with Buying, Retail and Leadership to unlock growth opportunities
  • Make fast, commercially sound decisions without unnecessary sign-off layers

This is a role for someone who enjoys building, improving and scaling, rather than maintaining the status quo.

About You

You'll be a merchandising leader with a hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset - comfortable rolling up your sleeves while setting direction. You are likely to bring:

  • Senior merchandising experience within brick & mortar retail
  • Proven experience leading and developing teams
  • Strong commercial instincts with the confidence to back your judgement
  • Experience adapting established retail models for a modern customer
  • A pragmatic, values-led leadership style aligned with strong ethics and morals

You'll thrive in a close-knit environment where trust is high and accountability matters.

Why This Business?

  • A rare blend of heritage and entrepreneurial spirit
  • Minimal bureaucracy and genuine decision-making autonomy
  • Strong benefits package
  • A values-driven culture with the customer at the heart of everything
  • The chance to make a visible, lasting impact on the business

This is an opportunity to take a respected, long-standing retailer and help it think and operate like a modern, agile business - without losing what makes it special.

Head of Merchandising in London employer: Zachary Daniels Recruitment

Join a well-established FMCG and homeware retailer with over 100 years of heritage, where you can take ownership and drive change in a culture that values agility and entrepreneurial thinking. As the Head of Merchandising, you'll enjoy minimal bureaucracy, a strong benefits package, and the opportunity to make a significant impact while working in a close-knit environment that prioritises trust and accountability. This is your chance to help a respected brand evolve into a modern challenger without losing its core values.
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Contact Detail:

Zachary Daniels Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Merchandising in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect 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 values and how they align with your own. This will help you showcase why you're the perfect fit for their entrepreneurial spirit.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in merchandising can help them modernise and scale their operations. Highlight your hands-on approach and ability to make quick, sound decisions.

✨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 are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Merchandising in London

Merchandising Strategy
Team Leadership
Commercial Acumen
Agile Thinking
Retail Experience
Decision-Making
Change Management
Customer-Centric Approach
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Values-Led Leadership

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity to lead merchandising in a heritage brand and how you can bring that entrepreneurial spirit to the table.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in merchandising, especially within brick & mortar retail. We’re looking for someone who can challenge the status quo, so don’t be shy about showcasing your achievements and how they align with our vision.

Be Authentic: We value honesty and integrity, so be yourself in your application. Share your leadership style and how it aligns with our values-driven culture. We want to know how you’ve empowered teams and made impactful decisions in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels Recruitment

✨Know Your Merchandising Stuff

Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in FMCG and homeware merchandising. Be ready to discuss how you can modernise strategies and introduce agile practices. Show them you’re not just about maintaining the status quo but are eager to innovate.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Prepare examples of how you've led and developed high-performing teams in the past. They want someone who can empower others, so highlight your coaching experiences and how you’ve fostered a culture of accountability and trust.

✨Be Ready to Challenge the Norm

This role is all about cutting through red tape and making fast decisions. Think of instances where you’ve successfully challenged legacy thinking and introduced smarter ways of working. They’ll appreciate your entrepreneurial mindset!

✨Understand Their Values

Familiarise yourself with the company’s heritage and values. Be prepared to discuss how your own ethics align with theirs and how you can contribute to their customer-centric approach. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the company culture too.

Head of Merchandising in London
Zachary Daniels Recruitment
Location: London
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