Product Merchandising Manager, Shoes (FTC)

Jimmy Choo; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A luxury fashion brand is seeking a Merchandising Manager to shape their footwear collections and manage the entire collection lifecycle. This role involves collaboration with various teams for pricing and sales analysis. The ideal candidate should possess strong commercial product merchandising skills and a passion for luxury fashion, with proficiency in English. Knowledge of Italian is preferred. The position requires travel and excellent skills in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a similar role.
• Avid interest in Luxury Fashion.
• Ability to travel.
• Knowledge of Italian language preferred.

Responsibilities

• Shape footwear collections aligning with market trends.
• Manage end-to-end collection lifecycle.
• Conduct detailed analysis of seasonal sell-in performance.

Skills

Commercial product merchandising skills

English language spoken/written fluently

Excellent Excel skills

Excellent Word skills

Excellent PowerPoint skills

Job description

The Merchandising Manager plays a key role in shaping the footwear collections, ensuring alignment with market trends, business objectives, and regional needs. This position involves managing the end-to-end collection lifecycle, from concept and sample coordination to sales analysis and communication, while partnering closely with Design, Development, and global merchandising teams., Collection Strategy

Collection Strategy

• Collaborate with Retail Merchandising to define the seasonal line plan and drive the collection calendar.
• Partner with Merchandise Planning to optimize carryover and ensure a balanced product range.
• Contribute to merchandising meetings to establish an assortment that meets global and regional needs.
• Support creation of drop allocations and communicate updates to all regions and distribution channels.

Pricing

• Participate in initial target cost identification, ensuring key price points are driven from sketch to sample.
• Manage pre-costing follow-up at each prototype stage.
• Contribute to pricing decisions for each collection.
• Manage cost changes post-negotiation and showroom presentation.

Sample & Production Management

• Lead sample launch, balancing creativity and commercial impact within defined budget parameters.
• Oversee timely receipt of first samples in London
• Manage communications between Merchandising and regional showrooms
• Oversee production fittings and approvals, ensuring quality and adherence to timelines.
• Monitor weekly production progress against planning milestones.

Collection Setup & Internal Systems

• Create and maintain the collection overview and internal selling documents.
• Manage official communication of cancellations and changes.
• Manage the set up and maintain the collection offer in the internal order system.
• Implement cancellation proposals and ensure clear communication across the business.

Sales & Market Analysis

• Conduct detailed analysis of seasonal sell-in performance, identifying best sellers, materials, and growth opportunities.
• Monitor competitor activity, including pricing, assortment, trends, and collection structure.

Training & Presentation Support

• Develop and support global training materials.
• Assist in creating impactful presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Suitable candidates will have a proven track record in a similar role.
• This person will have an avid interest and understanding of the world of Luxury Fashion with strong commercial product merchandising skills.
• Able to travel.
• English language spoken / written fluently.
• Knowledge of Italian language preferred.
• Excellent Excel, Word, PowerPoint skills.