Head of Buying Merlin Brands

Merlin Entertainments - Corporate; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading entertainment company in Chertsey seeks a Head of Buying to lead the central buying function and develop a comprehensive retail strategy across various attractions. You will manage a team, oversee significant revenue streams, and ensure product ranges delight guests while meeting commercial targets. The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience in global retail buying and exceptional leadership skills. Benefits include a competitive salary, annual passes, and ongoing training opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive annual salary

33 days holiday

6 Merlin Annual Passes

20 Merlin Magic Pass tickets

Company bonus

Private pension scheme

40% discount off LEGO

25% discount in retail shops

Ongoing training and development

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in a buying lead role within a global retail business.
• Expert knowledge of retail range development and market trends.
• Ability to negotiate and manage vendor relationships effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the central buying function and retail assortment strategy.
• Oversee a team, driving commercial performance across all attractions.
• Shape the bespoke product proposition and develop pricing strategies.

Skills

Buying lead experience

Retail range development

Negotiation skills

Vendor management

Financial acumen

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

The Head of Buying at Merlin Entertainments will lead the central buying function and drive the long-term retail assortment strategy, evolving and enhancing our bespoke Merlin and IP product ranges across Resort Theme Parks and Gateway attractions worldwide. Collaborating closely with Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Product Compliance, they will ensure adherence to regulatory standards and deliver on our ESG commitments.

This role will oversee a team of central buyers, driving commercial performance across all attractions through inspirational product ranges that maximize sales and profit density. Managing over £80m in revenue, the Head of Buying will shape the bespoke product proposition, develop pricing strategies, and achieve vendor contribution, rebate, and stock efficiency targets. They will play a pivotal role in bringing Merlin brands to life, supporting our mission to deliver world-class guest experiences.

The Head of Buying will lead Apparel, Accessories, and Jewellery buying across all attractions, leveraging trade insights and analytics to introduce trend-led, commercially strong products. They will oversee all Merlin-branded product development, ensuring collaborative, curated, and consistent ranges that capitalize on central scale while delivering locally relevant offerings.

In partnership with the design team, this role will help set product trends, ensuring seasonal concepts are both innovative and guest-relevant. They will plan and deliver optimal assortment, mix, cost of goods, and placement strategies, working alongside Merchandising, Space Planning, and Commercial Excellence teams to balance commercial objectives with operational and trading needs. The Head of Buying will extend our “Memorable Experiences” mission beyond attractions by ensuring retail products delight our guests.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3-5 years’ experience as a Buying lead within a global retail business, with extensive experience developing and driving growth across apparel and accessories.
• In-depth expert knowledge of retail range development across multi-categories, range building and buying practices, market trends, and assessing consumer behaviour.
• Entrepreneurial, can-do attitude, ambitious, with an ability to identify potential and seize business opportunities.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, and contract management skills.
• Experience of sourcing and shipping on a direct basis from countries worldwide (particularly Far East).
• Excellent financial acumen and ability to analyse data to make informed decisions.
• Proficient user of common IT systems, especially Microsoft.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with evidence of collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, cross-functional teams and building effective vendor relationships.
• Experience of leading and developing teams and individuals.

Benefits

• A competitive annual salary
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• ‘Enjoy the Ride’ Merlin Annual Passes - 6 in total per year, 1 for you, plus 5 to gift to loved ones!
• Merlin Magic Pass – 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world rising to 40 after a year’s service
• Company bonus
• Private pension scheme
• 40% discount online off LEGO
• 25% discount in our on-site retail shops and restaurants
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Plus, many more…

Pay Range

Competitive