Merchandiser - Brands Licensing

Next Careers; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retailer is seeking a Merchandiser based in London to join their expanding Licensing department. The ideal candidate will have strong commercial awareness, experience in managing a team, and a track record in product development. This role offers a chance to significantly influence the success of well-known childrenswear brands. Benefits include a profit-related bonus, private medical insurance, share options, and substantial staff discounts. Applications requiring sponsorship must meet Home Office requirements.

Benefits

Profit-related bonus

Private medical insurance

25% staff discount on NEXT products

Access to NEXT staff shops

Wellhub - access to discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Experience trading a quick response department is essential.
• Ability to manage and lead a team.
• Strong communication skills are critical.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Buyers, Designers, and Technologists to create balanced product ranges.
• Manage and lead your own team to achieve objectives.
• Negotiate delivery dates with suppliers to ensure timely stock.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Team management

Product development

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Job description

About the Role

Based in Alfred Place, London. Working Pattern: Typically 5 days in the office, with core hours flexible between 8am to 6pm.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make an impact and contribute to the continuing success of the Licensing area. Licensing is a rapidly expanding department at Next, featuring childrenswear brands such as Baker by Ted Baker, smALLSAINTS, Paul Smith Junior, Little Bird by Jools Oliver, Clarks clothing and Superdry childrenswear. This role offers an excellent chance to contribute to the ongoing success of the Licensing area and make a significant impact.

We are looking for a Merchandiser who has commercial awareness, can maximise sales, and has experience trading a quick response department. You should also have the ability to manage a team or team members. It is critical that you have experience in product development across multiple supply bases.

About You:

• Collaborative working with your Buyers, Designers and Technologist to build a balanced range.
• Responsible for managing and leading your own team.
• Appraising previous season, departmental and supplier base performance to propose new objectives and strategy for future seasons.
• Building productive relationships with suppliers, negotiating the best delivery dates.
• Ensure deadlines are met in a timely manner.
• Confident and decisive, you’ll be able to solve problems quickly and react to sales data.
• PROFIT - The key to everything we do and every decision we make.

So if you’re customer-focused, entrepreneurial, a natural leader, self-motivated, driven and organised, have a keen eye for detail and know how important strong communication is to successful teamwork, this is the place for you – and your career!!

Sponsorship

Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

#LI-Onsite

• Profit-related bonus - based on company performance
• Management share options
• Private medical insurance
• Sharesave scheme - make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
• Pension - fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
• Life assurance
• Group income protection
• Wagestream - helping you make the most out of your money
• Salary finance - offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
• 25% staff discount on most NEXT products - plus discount on other products
• Direct to work - NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
• VIP sale - early access to the NEXT sale
• Access to NEXT staff shops
• Octopus energy - like cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles
• Free parking (excluding London locations)
• National and local discounts on goods and services - this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
• Wellhub - includes access to discounted gym membership
• Simply health - a healthcare subscription service
• Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service - 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
• A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
• Free eye testing - voucher to use at specific locations

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, please email [e-mail] (include "Workplace Adjustments" in the subject line), or call 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.

Team Overview

This is where ideas become incredible collections. Designers, Buyers, Merchandisers, and Technologists collaborate to create products our customers love. You\'ll spot global trends, strategically balance our range plans and meticulously test quality so every season feels fresh, inspiring and exceptional.

Explore similar opportunities across our business.

About NEXT

You know Next, but you may not know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. We have over 500 stores, plus Next Online and it’s now possible to buy online from over 70 countries around the world. We’ve gone global!

Challenges. Opportunities. The future. Let’s take it on at NEXT.