Senior Merchandiser

Colonial Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Friends & family discount

Reward platform access

Private pension

Virtual GP access

Life assurance from day one

Extra holiday scheme

Birthday day off

Enhanced parental leave

Season ticket loan

Cycle2Work

Charity partnerships

Job summary

New Look is seeking a Senior Merchandiser to lead the planning, trading and delivery of the department’s commercial strategy in London/Greater London. You will drive sales, profit and stock targets while managing supplier relationships and collaborating with Buying to build balanced ranges.

You will lead and develop the merchandising team, provide coaching, and ensure decisions are data-driven with a clear direction.

Qualifications

• Advanced commercial and trade analytics to drive profit and KPI delivery.
• Range strategy and planning across multiple categories.
• Ownership of stock flow and OTB at department level.
• Experience managing supplier relationships at a senior level.
• Proven team leadership and development of Merch/AM/MAA teams.

Responsibilities

• Achieving department KPIs and maximising sales and profit.
• Reviewing WSSI to maximise profitability and manage risks.
• Contributing to range development reflecting brand strategy and timelines.
• Preparing and presenting range sign-offs aligned with strategy and customer needs.
• Monitoring range plans with Buyer/Designer to adapt to trends.
• Developing sourcing strategies for margin, quality and lead-time.
• Planning and trading the department independently with commercial acumen.
• Overseeing weekly product sign-off and OTB impact; seizing promotional opportunities.

Skills

Analytics

Range planning

Stock flow

Supplier management

Team leadership

Merchandiser experience

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder communication

Decision making

Coaching

Job description

The Role: (4 Days in office)

A Senior Merchandiser leads the planning, trading and delivery of a department’s commercial strategy, ensuring sales, profit and stock targets are achieved. They oversee range planning, forecasting and stock flow, using data to drive decisions and identify risks or opportunities. The role manages key supplier relationships and partners closely with Buying to build balanced, customer-focused ranges. They also lead and develop the merchandising team, providing guidance, coaching and clear direction.

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU:

• 40% staff discount plus friends & family discounts throughout the year


• Access to our reward platform for external discount and offers


• Private pension scheme


• Virtual GP access for you and your children – it allows you to speak to a doctor at a time and date that suits you


• All employees are covered by our life assurance policy from day one


• Unlock extra leave with our buy more holiday scheme.


• Celebrate YOU! Enjoy an extra paid day off on your birthday each year


• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental leave (eligible after 2 years’ service).


• Spread the cost of your commute with interest-free season ticket loans


• Do your bit for the environment and save money with our Cycle2Work scheme


• We're proud to partner with the Retail Trust and Fashion & Textile Children's Trust

What you’ll be doing:

• Achieving all department KPI’s in line with strategy and department plan, maximising sales and profit


• Reviewing the category Weekly Sales and Stock Intake (WSSI), coordinating action to maximise profitability of the department and reduce risks


• Contributing to range development by ensuring the Product reflects the Brand strategy, the range is without gaps and duplication, and the season is logically and commercially thought through in line with the Critical Path


• Managing Commitment to ensure operational efficiency and stock targets are met
  Responsible for preparation and presentation of range sign offs in line with department / strategy and customer requirements


• Reviewing and monitoring range plans regularly with the Buyer and Designer to reflect changing sales / trends in order to maximise profits


• Developing a flexible sourcing strategy with the Buyer and Designer to ensure the optimum balance of margin, quality and lead-time flexibility


• Planning and trading the department independently alongside the Buyer and Designer, using own initiative to maximise profit, able to take risks where required


• Managing the weekly product sign-off process, including awareness of impact on Open to Buy (OTB), flexibility and margin
  Identifying promotional and marketing opportunities for product areas and seeing this through to implementation

Team

• Challenging current ways of working and practices across departments and functions, coming up with new initiatives to benefit the whole Business and implementing these


• Managing and developing the Team, displaying strong leadership skills to enable achievement of New Look’s strategy


• Giving 1:1 coaching on the job, transferring skills and knowledge to others


• Conducting regular catch up’s and performance reviews, proactive in managing performance, ensuring constructive feedback, recognition and praise is given


• Creating and sustaining a positive Team spirit


• Driving the BMD vision into clear goals and objectives for your direct reports and their teams

Who you are:

• Advanced commercial & trade analytics (WSSI, forecasting, profit drivers).


• Range strategy & planning across multiple categories.


• Stock flow & OTB ownership at departmental level.


• Supplier management & negotiation at a senior level.


• Team leadership & development of Merch/AM/MAA teams.


• Previous experience as a Merchandiser


• Strategic thinker – sees the bigger picture and future risks/opportunities.


• Influential communicator – confident partnering with directors and key teams.


• Decisive & solutions-focused – makes informed decisions quickly.


• Calm under pressure – manages complexity and fast pace with ease.


• Coaching mindset – develops others and builds team capability.