At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the online trading strategy and drive commercial success for a major retail operation.
- Company: Dynamic retail business with a focus on digital innovation and growth.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, pension, and 30 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a collaborative Senior Leadership Team and shape the future of digital retail.
- Why this job: Own the P&L and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in online trading and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
There are very few opportunities where you can genuinely own the commercial success of a major online retail business. This is one of them.
Our client is seeking an exceptional Head of Digital Trading to take ownership of the online commercial P&L for a significant retail operation. This is a newly created, high-impact role sitting within the Senior Leadership Team, offering the opportunity to shape trading strategy, influence business direction and deliver meaningful commercial growth across a substantial digital channel.
This is a role for a proven online trading leader. Whether your current title is Head of Digital Trading, Head of eCommerce, Head of Online Trading or Senior Ecommerce Manager ready for the next step, you'll already have a demonstrable track record of growing online sales, increasing profitability and making commercially astute decisions in a fast-paced retail environment.
More importantly, you'll be the type of leader who thrives in a matrix organisation. Someone who enjoys accountability, builds credibility through collaboration and has the emotional intelligence to become a trusted commercial sparring partner to the wider Senior Leadership Team. You'll combine strategic thinking with hands-on commercial delivery, influencing across Marketing, Digital, Technology, Category Management and Operations to ensure the online channel performs at its full potential.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the commercial P&L for the online retail channel, driving sustainable sales, margin, profitability and long-term value.
- Develop and execute the digital trading strategy, ensuring every commercial decision contributes to profitable growth.
- Lead all aspects of online trading including pricing, promotions, merchandising, conversion optimisation, assortment and seasonal trading.
- Partner with Category, Marketing, Digital, Technology and Operations teams to align business priorities and maximise commercial performance.
- Identify opportunities through customer insight, trading data and market analysis to accelerate growth and improve profitability.
- Continually optimise the online customer journey, increasing conversion, basket value and customer lifetime value.
- Influence strategic investment decisions using commercial insight, performance analysis and market trends.
- Build alignment across a complex matrix organisation, bringing multiple stakeholders together behind shared commercial objectives.
- Develop a high-performing digital trading function, embedding pace, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Contribute as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing commercial challenge, strategic thinking and informed decision-making.
Key Requirements
- The successful Head of Digital Trading will have a proven track record of owning and growing a significant online trading operation within retail or another consumer-facing business.
- Significant experience leading online trading, digital trading or ecommerce functions with direct accountability for commercial performance.
- A demonstrable history of delivering profitable online sales growth through exceptional trading leadership.
- Deep expertise across digital trading, ecommerce, online merchandising, pricing, promotional planning and commercial optimisation.
- Experience owning or influencing an online P&L with a relentless focus on commercial outcomes.
- The ability to operate confidently within a complex matrix environment, influencing senior stakeholders through credibility rather than hierarchy.
- Exceptional commercial acumen, balancing strategic vision with operational excellence.
- High emotional intelligence, enabling you to build trusted relationships and become a valued commercial partner across the business.
- Strong analytical capability, using data and insight to identify opportunities and support commercial decision-making.
- A collaborative leadership style, coupled with the resilience to thrive in a high-accountability, fast-paced retail environment.
If you're an ambitious Head of Digital Trading looking for the opportunity to own a major online trading operation and make a genuine commercial impact, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.
Head of Digital Trading in Solihull employer: Zachary Daniels Recruitment
Join a globally recognised business in Manchester as a Strategic Product Director, where you will be part of a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises collaboration and excellence. With competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, the company is committed to employee growth and development, offering unique opportunities to lead high-performing teams and shape impactful product strategies. This role not only promises a rewarding career but also the chance to make a significant difference in a market-leading organisation.
Contact Details:
Zachary Daniels Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Digital Trading in Solihull
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Zachary Daniels Recruitment, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Zachary Daniels Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Digital Trading in Solihull
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Zachary Daniels Recruitment, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Zachary Daniels Recruitment and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Zachary Daniels Recruitment that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels Recruitment
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
