Merchandiser - Womenswear

The Retail Partnership Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

TRP Recruitment Limited is partnering with a British fashion and lifestyle brand to recruit an experienced Merchandiser on a fixed-term contract. The role focuses on driving category performance through financial planning, stock management and in-season trading.

You will work with Buying, Design and product teams to own category planning, forecasting and trading strategies, with hybrids in work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Merchandiser in fashion/retail.
• Collaborative team player with a commercial mindset.
• Interest in sustainability and responsible sourcing.
• Confident managing OTB, budgets, margins and stock intake.
• Highly analytical with ability to translate data into actions.
• Excellent organisation and ability to meet deadlines.
• Proficient in merchandising systems and reporting tools.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; able to influence stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of financial performance of designated product categories.
• Develop and maintain category plans, budgets and forecasts.
• Manage Open to Buy balancing stock, sales and cash flow.
• Analyse weekly/monthly trading and provide insights to maximise profits.
• Lead weekly trading meetings with senior stakeholders.
• Lead seasonal range planning with Buying and Design teams.
• Review historical performance and market trends to influence strategies.
• Manage option planning, allocations and distribution strategies.
• Monitor stock levels and forecasts to maximise sell-through.
• Collaborate with suppliers on production planning and delivery.

Skills

Merchandiser

Forecasting

Open to Buy

Stock management

Analytical thinking

Excel

Stakeholder influence

Tools

Excel

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.