Head of Merchandising Innovation

ALLSAINTS Retail Limited; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global fashion retailer is seeking a Head of Merchandising to lead the transformation of their merchandising function. The role involves implementing new planning tools and fostering a culture of data-driven innovation. Candidates should have significant merchandising leadership experience and strong project management skills. The position is based in Shoreditch, London, with hybrid working available.

Benefits

Generous wardrobe allowance

Employee discount

25 days holiday increasing to 28 days

Access to dental cash plan

Wellbeing and lifestyle support

Enhanced family leave benefits

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior merchandising roles in global fashion retail.
• In-depth knowledge of end-to-end merchandising planning.
• Experience in implementing relevant technology.
• Strong ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
• Experience managing multiple strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of new Buying and Merchandising tool.
• Oversee user acceptance testing and ensure tool fits business needs.
• Manage change and training for global merchandising teams.
• Foster collaboration between merchandising and other departments.

Skills

Merchandising Leadership Experience

Merchandising Planning Expertise

Communication Skills

Project Management Discipline

Strategic Thinking

Global Mindset

Tools

Buying and Merchandising planning software

Job description

London, England, United Kingdom , Permanent

We're a global brand made up of a very diverse mix of talented people in a huge variety of roles. Our products are designed in house and made by a small number of suppliers and artisans around the world to sustainable standards.

We are a brand embarking on a very exciting plan and we are seeking new members of the team who want to contribute to this.

THE ROLE

The Head of Merchandising - Innovation, reporting to the Global Merchandising Director (with a dotted line to the Global Director of Transformation), is a pivotal leadership role at AllSaints, responsible for spearheading the transformation of our global merchandising function. This leader will be the primary 'business lead' for the implementation of a new Buying and Merchandising planning tool, working in close partnership with our dedicated Transformation team (aligned to technology). Beyond the tool, this individual will be a key catalyst for broader innovation in Buying and Merchandising, championing new ways of working and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, agility, and continuous improvement across our global merchandising teams.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

1. Buying and Merchandising Planning Tool Implementation (Business Lead & Partnership with Transformation Team)

• Strategic Alignment: Define and articulate the business requirements for the new Buying and Merchandising planning tool, ensuring its capabilities directly support AllSaints' global growth ambitions, product lifecycle, and commercial objectives across all channels (Retail, Digital, Concessions, Wholesale).
• Business Case Development: own the development of the business case, particularly in relation to the definition and realisation of benefits over the different phases of transformation.
• Partnership & Collaboration: Act as the primary business liaison with the internal Transformation team and external vendors throughout the implementation lifecycle. This includes active participation in project steering groups, development reviews, and ensuring a seamless flow of information between merchandising and the technical teams.
• Requirements & Design: Lead the inputs to the detailed business requirements gathering, process mapping, and design phases, ensuring the tool effectively supports AllSaints' future-state Buying and Merchandising processes (e.g., nuanced assortment planning, demand forecasting for our distinctive product, inventory optimisation across a complex global network, OTB management, and lifecycle planning).
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Oversee and lead the UAT phase of the project, collaborating with the Transformation team, to ensure the tool meets AllSaints' specific business needs and is fit for purpose, with a keen eye on optimizing user experience for our Buying and Merchandising teams.
• Change Management: Work in partnership with the Transformation team to build and execute a comprehensive change management strategy, in partnership with the Transformation team, tailored to the AllSaints culture for the global merchandising teams. This includes designing and delivering engaging communication plans, targeted training programs, and providing ongoing support mechanisms to drive adoption, proficiency, and excitement for the new capabilities.
• Data Migration & Integrity: Collaborate closely with the Transformation, Tech, and data teams to ensure seamless data migration from legacy systems and maintain the highest level of data integrity within the new planning tool.
• Go-Live & Post-Implementation Support: Lead the successful go-live of the tool across all global regions and provide robust ongoing business support to ensure a smooth transition and address any post-implementation challenges, iterating as required.
• Performance Monitoring: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and ROI of the new planning tool post-implementation, providing regular, insightful reports and recommendations to senior leadership.

2. Merchandising Transformation & Ways of Working Innovation

• Process Optimisation: Work closely with the Merch team to leverage current resources and tools to drive productivity in range planning and stock management. Identify, analyze, and re-engineer existing merchandising processes at AllSaints, identifying both quick wins and a plan to leverage the full capabilities of the new tool, driving operational efficiencies, enhancing decision-making, and improving overall effectiveness.
• Best Practices & Innovation: Research and implement merchandising best practices relevant to a global fashion retailer, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and agility within the global merchandising function.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster strong, symbiotic collaborative relationships with other functions (e.g., Buying, Design, Product Development, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Retail Operations, Finance, Tech) to ensure end-to-end process optimisation and strategic alignment from concept to customer.
• Cultural Evolution: Champion a mindset of agility, data-driven decision-making, proactive planning, and seamless collaboration within the global Buying and Merchandising teams, embedding a future-focused approach to innovation.
• Influence & Inspire: Act as a dynamic thought leader and change agent, inspiring global Buying and Merchandising teams to embrace new technologies and evolve their ways of working to maximize potential.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and hands-on coaching to Buying and Merchandising leaders and team members on transformation initiatives, fostering their growth and development.
• Relationship Building: Build strong, trusted, and influential relationships with senior Buying and Merchandising leaders and their teams across all global regions, fostering a united approach to transformation.

WHAT SKILLS DO I NEED?

• Extensive Merchandising Leadership Experience: Proven track record of success in senior merchandising leadership roles within a complex, global fashion retail environment, preferably with experience across multiple product categories and channels (e.g., Apparel, Accessories, Digital, Retail, Wholesale).
• Deep Merchandising Planning Expertise: In-depth, practical knowledge of end-to-end merchandising planning processes, including assortment planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, open-to-buy (OTB), markdown management and allocation, with a strong understanding of how these apply in a fast-paced, design-led business.
• Technology Implementation Experience (advantageous): Significant, demonstrable experience as a business lead for the successful implementation of enterprise-level Buying and Merchandising or planning software (e.g. Board, Impact Analytics, Anaplan etc.).
• Exceptional Communication & Influencing Skills: Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively at all levels of the organization, from front-line teams to the Executive Board. Proven ability to influence and build consensus without direct authority.
• Project Management Discipline: Solid understanding of project management principles and methodologies, with the ability to manage multiple, concurrent strategic initiatives effectively.
• Strategic Thinker: Ability to connect high-level strategic objectives to detailed operational execution, identifying opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage within the merchandising space.
• Global Mindset: Experience working within a global organization, with a nuanced understanding of regional market differences, consumer behaviors, and operational complexities.
• Passion for Product & Brand: A genuine appreciation for the AllSaints brand aesthetic, product, and customer, ensuring that all transformational efforts enhance the brand experience.

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Based in our East London Studios in vibrant Shoreditch with perks and benefits offered from local businesses including discounts on food, shopping and health & beauty. Studio Location . Approximately a 10 minute walk from Liverpool Street Station and a 5 minute walk from Shoreditch High Street.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

The Customer is the Boss We work as one proud team to get the best for our customers

One Team We are joined up and encourage others to share their ideas

We Do What We Say We Will We know our goals, and we work with clear outcomes in mind

We Are Responsible We are self aware, understand the impact we have on others and are positive about the future

BENEFITS

• A generous wardrobe allowance so that you can wear our beautiful clothes to work each day
• We are a disability committed certified employer
• Employee discount for you to spend with family and friends
• 25 days holiday increasing to 28 days after 2 years continuous service
• Bank holidays, birthdays and volunteering days off
• Access to dental cash plan & free virtual GP appointments through Aviva
• UNUM employee assistance helpline
• Life assurance cover
• Access to discounted gym membership and corporate discounts
• Hybrid working in our historic East London studios, working hours are 9-5.30pm
• Free, confidential, wellbeing and lifestyle support with Retail Trust
• Enhanced family leave benefits (neonatal, fertility, maternity, paternity, adoption, menopause)
• Health days for you to use either for physical or mental wellness
• Dedicated mental health support from our mental health first aiders
• Eye care vouchers, season ticket loans and much more!

#WeAreAllSaints

Our aim is to develop truly diverse teams and create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and able to give of their best whilst contributing to the success of our brand.

We recognise the importance and strength of diversity and commit to providing equal opportunities to everyone in our employment and recruitment processes. We safeguard against any form of discrimination irrespective of gender, gender reassignment, marital status, race, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status or age.

Even if you feel you don’t tick all the boxes, we’d still very much like to hear from you. We want you to know that finding people who have a passion for our brand and are open to learning is incredibly important to us.

If you need any support or adjustments during your application, please get in touch with us and we are happy to help.