Merchandiser (Cerene)

Next; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company performance bonus

Life assurance

Sharesave scheme

Annual travel card loan

Discounts on NEXT brands

Job summary

Next (Lipsy/Love & Roses brands) is seeking a senior department leader to maximise profitability through strategic planning, trading and strong supplier collaboration. You will lead a team, work with Buyers and Designers to plan ranges, monitor stock and drive commercial success across multiple fashion categories.

You will shape the department, manage the critical path, and coach junior members while partnering with Supply Chain, Retail Operations and other functions to optimise performance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a fashion product/department team.
• Strong understanding of competitor product, pricing and trading activity.
• Ability to analyse ranges, season plans and stock implications.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute department strategy with Buyer/Designer to maximise profit.
• Manage planning parameters and Critical Path to meet deadlines.
• Oversee trading, forecasting and stock levels, minimising markdowns.
• Lead and develop the team, building cross-functional partnerships.
• Pilot and optimise AI-driven processes to improve commercial outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Team development

Commercial trading

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Cerene is a fiercely feminine brand designed for women who dress with intention and take pleasure in choosing something that feels personal. Beauty that doesn’t ask for attention, yet is always noticed. Detail for personal joy, not for show. Confidence that feels natural, not performed. Each collection combines expressive print, delicate structure, and thoughtful detail, balanced with chic effortless wearability. Our dream is to create collections that are creative and original. Cerene is beautifully bold.

About Cerene

Cerene is a fiercely feminine brand designed for women who dress with intention and take pleasure in choosing something that feels personal. Beauty that doesn’t ask for attention, yet is always noticed. Detail for personal joy, not for show. Confidence that feels natural, not performed. Each collection combines expressive print, delicate structure, and thoughtful detail, balanced with chic effortless wearability. Our dream is to create collections that are creative and original. Cerene is beautifully bold.

About Us

At NEXT Wholly Owned Brands, we’re a collective of London-based fashion and lifestyle brands. From our beginnings with Lipsy in 1998, to becoming part of the UK’s largest fashion retailer, NEXT, in 2008 we’ve evolved into a group of bold, design-led brands, each with its unique identity. At the heart of our business is a passionate team driven by creativity, innovation, and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional results. We foster a culture where individuality is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and challenging the status quo is part of how we grow.

About The Role

To maximise the profitability of the department by leading a team, working with the Buyer and suppliers to strategically plan, build, and trade commercial product ranges. The role ensures the business plan is achieved by having the right product, in the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantities.

Role Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute the department strategy with the Buyer/Designer to maximise profit, by understanding customer needs and utilising strong knowledge of competitor product, pricing, and trading activity
• Formulate and propose planning parameters by analysing past and proposed season ranges, considering the impact of sales contribution by channel
• Manage and control the Critical Path for each phase with the Buyer, ensuring deadlines are met and proactively communicating any impact on launch position and actions taken
• Ensure range balance by working with Buyer, Designer, and Technologist, optimising the use of trials and stock buys, and ensuring commerciality to the brand
• Appraise and develop suppliers in conjunction with the Buyer to maintain a strong supply base

Trading & Forecasting

• Actively trade the department by continually reviewing performance and potentialising emerging trends to maximise profit and minimise risk
• Manage weekly/monthly forecasts (WSSI), clearly communicating changes/impact on stock position, and controlling intake with the Buying and Technical teams to achieve optimum stock levels and minimise markdown
• Control the intake margin to achieve plan, ensuring all orders are entered accurately and authorised promptly according to the Critical Path
• Oversee the execution of markdowns and promotions within agreed parameters, accurately forecasting the effect on sales, stocks, and profit
• Monitor and analyse KPI’s including returns rates and attribute analysis (sizing, price, colour), making recommendations to adjust future buys where necessary

Leadership & Collaboration

• Manage and develop the team, including delegating tasks, prioritising workflow, and conducting regular performance appraisals against competencies
• Manage internal and external relationships to develop partnerships, actively contributing to the development of junior members within the function
• Work with cross-functional teams (e.g., Supply Chain, Site Optimisation, Retail Operations) to identify opportunities to maximise profit
• Suggest, pilot, and optimise AI-driven processes to improve or solve specific commercial friction points

Technical Requirements

• Extensive experience across multiple fashion categories
• Proven experience managing and developing a team Experience working directly with senior leadership, possesses excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build strong relationships across the business
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and motivate the team through challenging periods of change
• Shows innovation by challenging existing processes and practices to drive the business forward
• Strong knowledge of the competition’s product offer, pricing strategy and trading activity

About Us

Founded in 2008, Lipsy started as one brand with a big dream. Today, we’ve grown into three dynamic London-based fashion brands, each with their own distinct style and story. Our Lipsy customer is a leading lady; a woman who never says no to a touch of glamour - and why would she, when the world is her catwalk. Love & Roses is for the woman who isn’t afraid to push boundaries, she’ll set her own trend, with unique styles, playful prints and fabulous fabrics at her core. Friends Like These is for the go-getter - she’s strong, feminine and always on the move, so we offer her a gorgeous wardrobe line-up she can bank on every time. But it’s not just about fashion - we’re just as passionate about our people. With a supportive and collaborative culture at our core, we’re proud of the work we do and the team behind it. It’s an exciting time to be part of our journey as we continue to evolve and create something truly special together.

About The Team

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Hot deals and exclusive offers from over 3,500 retailers through our online benefits platform
• Company performance based bonus
• Early VIP access to sale stock via Direct to Desk
• Life assurance
• Sharesave scheme
• Annual Travel Card Loan
• Sample Sales
• Fantastic L&D opportunities
• Flexi-Hour Scheme
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

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, feel free to get in touch with us by email [e-mail] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0207 436 2000 and leave a voicemail.