Merchandiser - Womenswear

TRP Recruitment ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

TRP Recruitment ltd partners with a British fashion and lifestyle brand to recruit an experienced Merchandiser on a fixed-term contract. You will own category planning, forecasting and trading strategies, working closely with Buying, Design and product teams to drive commercial performance.

The role requires strong analytical skills, collaboration, and experience in managing OTB, margins and stock intake. It offers hybrid working and opportunities to lead and mentor junior merchandisers.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Merchandiser in fashion, lifestyle or retail.
• Collaborative, positive team player with a passion for product.
• Interest in responsible sourcing and sustainability in fashion.
• Confident managing Open to Buy, budgets, margins and stock intake.
• Highly analytical with ability to translate data into actions.
• Excellent organisational skills handling multiple priorities to deadlines.
• Proficient in merchandising systems, Excel and reporting tools.
• Strong communication and presentation skills to influence stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Own financial performance of designated product categories, manage sales, margin, stock and profitability.
• Develop category plans, budgets and forecasts, identify risks and opportunities.
• Manage Open to Buy to balance stock availability with sales and cash flow.
• Analyse weekly/monthly trading performance and provide insights to maximise sales.
• Lead weekly trading meetings and present category performance to senior stakeholders.
• Lead seasonal range planning with Buying and Design teams for balanced assortments.
• Review historical performance and market trends to influence strategy.
• Plan options, allocations and distribution to optimise stock performance.
• Monitor stock levels and forecasts to maximise sell-through and minimise terminal stock.
• Collaborate with suppliers on production planning and delivery schedules.

Skills

Merchandising

Category planning

Forecasting

Stock management

Excel

OTB management

Stakeholder influence

Analytical thinking

Time management

Job description

We are delighted to be partnering with a well-established and successful British fashion and lifestyle brand that is looking to recruit an experienced and commercially driven Merchandiser to join its growing team on a fixed term contract.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly regarded retail business where you will play a key role in driving the commercial performance of your product categories through effective financial planning, stock management and in-season trading.

Working closely with the Buying, Design and wider product teams, you will take ownership of category planning, forecasting and trading strategies. You will be highly analytical, commercially minded and confident in making strategic decisions.

This role offers hybrid working.

Main Responsibilities will include:

• Take ownership of the financial performance of designated product categories, managing sales, margin, stock levels, intake and profitability.
• Develop and maintain accurate category plans, budgets and forecasts, identifying potential risks and commercial opportunities.
• Manage Open to Buy (OTB), ensuring the right balance between stock availability, sales performance, margin and cash flow.
• Analyse weekly and monthly trading performance, providing clear commercial insights and recommendations to maximise sales and profitability.
• Lead weekly trading meetings, presenting category performance, key priorities and commercial recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Lead seasonal range planning alongside Buying and Design teams, ensuring product assortments are commercially balanced.
• Review historical performance, competitor activity and market trends to influence future buying and merchandising strategies.
• Manage option planning, product estimates, allocations and distribution strategies to optimise stock performance.
• Monitor in-season stock levels and forecasts, taking proactive action to maximise sell-through and minimise terminal stock.
• Work closely with suppliers to manage production planning, forecasting, delivery schedules and stock availability.
• Manage, mentor and develop Assistant and Trainee Merchandisers.
• Support wider business initiatives, including sustainability objectives, new product opportunities and continuous improvements to merchandising processes.

Person Specification:

• Proven experience working as a Merchandiser within a fashion, lifestyle or retail environment.
• A collaborative and positive team player with a genuine passion for product.
• An interest in responsible sourcing and sustainability, with an understanding of their importance within the fashion industry.
• Confident managing Open to Buy (OTB), category budgets, margins, markdowns and stock intake.
• Highly analytical with the ability to interpret complex data and translate findings into clear commercial actions.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively to critical deadlines.
• Confident using merchandising systems, Excel and reporting tools to support financial and commercial decision-making.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or developing junior team members.