At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the merchandising strategy for a purpose-driven brand and drive global growth.
- Company: Join a respected B Corp brand with a strong ethical foundation.
- Benefits: Highly competitive salary, excellent package, and a positive working culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for real influence as the business scales beyond £200 million.
- Why this job: Shape the future of merchandising at a pivotal point in the brand's journey.
- Qualifications: Significant senior-level merchandising experience and omni-channel expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
I am currently representing a beautifully positioned, purpose-led brand in the search for an exceptional Director of Merchandising. This is a rare opportunity to join a highly regarded business with a strong ethical foundation, genuine B Corp credentials and a collaborative, values-driven culture. With an established customer base in the UK and accelerating momentum across the US and Europe, the brand is now entering an important new phase of international growth, with a clear ambition to scale beyond £200 million in revenue.
They are seeking a senior merchandising leader who can bring both strategic vision and operational rigour - someone capable of building the merchandising function required for the next stage of growth, while ensuring the business is set up with the right structure, processes and decision-making frameworks to scale successfully across multiple channels and markets.
The Opportunity: This role will suit an experienced merchandising leader who has operated in a fast-growth environment and has a proven track record of helping brands scale internationally. The successful candidate will be expected to shape the future direction of the merchandising function, define what best-in-class looks like and ensure the business is equipped to trade effectively and profitably across an increasingly complex global landscape. This is a high-impact leadership appointment, with broad visibility across the organisation and significant influence over commercial performance, planning strategy and organisational design.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define and lead the merchandising strategy to support the brand's next phase of global growth, ensuring it is aligned to the wider commercial ambitions of the business.
- Build and refine the merchandising structure to support scale, clarifying roles, responsibilities, ways of working and future capability requirements.
- Establish clear merchandising best practice across planning, trading, forecasting, stock management and cross-functional decision-making.
- Lead the development of robust merchandise planning frameworks to support growth across eCommerce, wholesale, B2B and international channels.
- Drive a highly commercial approach to range planning, stock investment, margin optimisation and performance analysis across multiple markets.
- Oversee forecasting, intake planning, inventory strategy and in-season trading to ensure stock is managed effectively at both a local and global level.
- Partner closely with senior stakeholders across product, finance, operations, digital and international teams to align merchandising strategy with wider business priorities.
- Support the continued evolution of systems, tools and reporting, bringing strong technical understanding across merchandising and planning platforms.
- Assess and introduce improved planning capability, including consideration of how AI-led tools and technology can enhance forecasting accuracy, inventory management, reporting efficiency and commercial decision-making.
- Ensure the merchandising function is equipped with the right processes, data visibility and systems infrastructure to support scale and complexity.
- Lead, coach and develop the merchandising team, creating a high-performing function with the capability to support future growth.
Candidate Profile:
- Significant senior-level merchandising leadership experience within a fashion, lifestyle or consumer brand environment.
- A proven track record of helping a brand scale internationally, particularly across the US and European markets.
- Strong omni-channel expertise, with experience spanning eCommerce, wholesale, B2B and international trading models.
- Deep understanding of merchandise planning, forecasting, stock management and global trading strategy.
- Experience designing or reshaping team structures to support growth and evolving business needs.
- Strong systems and technical capability within merchandising and planning, with the credibility to evaluate tools, improve reporting and enhance operational effectiveness.
- A forward-thinking approach to innovation, including an understanding of where AI and advanced planning technology can add value to merchandising functions.
- Excellent leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and hands-on level.
- Strong commercial judgement, coupled with the ability to balance pace, complexity and long-term thinking.
Why this role stands out:
- Opportunity to join a respected B Corp brand with a strong ethical and sustainability-led ethos.
- A genuinely positive working culture, with a clear sense of purpose and strong internal collaboration.
- A business with a loyal UK customer base and exciting international growth potential.
- The chance to shape the future of the merchandising function at a pivotal point in the brand's journey.
- A senior leadership role with real influence as the business scales towards and beyond £200 million.
Director of Merchandising in Humber employer: Zachary Daniels
Join a purpose-led brand that prioritises ethical practices and sustainability, offering a collaborative and values-driven culture. As the Director of Merchandising, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of the merchandising function during a pivotal phase of international growth, supported by a highly competitive salary and excellent benefits. With a strong commitment to employee development and a positive work environment, this role is perfect for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a respected B Corp company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Merchandising in Humber
✨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, 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!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Merchandising in Humber
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, 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 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 that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels
✨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!
