Head of Merchandising

Head of Merchandising

FMCG & Homeware Retailer | Entrepreneurial Culture | Heritage Brand

Take ownership. Cut through red tape. Help a 100-year-old retailer think like a challenger brand.

We're working with a well-established FMCG and homeware retailer with over 100 years of heritage - a business that has stood the test of time by doing the right thing for its customers, colleagues and communities.

Now, they're looking for a Head of Merchandising to help take the business into its next phase of growth - scaling the operation, modernising how things are done, and bringing a more agile, entrepreneurial way of thinking to merchandising.

This is not a corporate, heavily layered environment. It's a business that values ownership, common sense and action.

The Opportunity

As Head of Merchandising, you will have the freedom and authority to shape the function and influence the wider business.

You'll be trusted to:

• Own and evolve the merchandising strategy across FMCG and homeware

• Lead, coach and empower a high-performing merchandising team

• Drive commercial performance across a predominantly brick & mortar estate

• Challenge legacy thinking and introduce smarter, more agile ways of working

• Work closely with Buying, Retail and Leadership to unlock growth opportunities

• Make fast, commercially sound decisions without unnecessary sign-off layers

This is a role for someone who enjoys building, improving and scaling, rather than maintaining the status quo.

About You

You'll be a merchandising leader with a hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset - comfortable rolling up your sleeves while setting direction.

You are likely to bring:

• Senior merchandising experience within brick & mortar retail

• Proven experience leading and developing teams

• Strong commercial instincts with the confidence to back your judgement

• Experience adapting established retail models for a modern customer

• A pragmatic, values-led leadership style aligned with strong ethics and morals

You'll thrive in a close-knit environment where trust is high and accountability matters.

Why This Business?

• A rare blend of heritage and entrepreneurial spirit

• Minimal bureaucracy and genuine decision-making autonomy

• Strong benefits package

• A values-driven culture with the customer at the heart of everything

• The chance to make a visible, lasting impact on the business

This is an opportunity to take a respected, long-standing retailer and help it think and operate like a modern, agile business - without losing what makes it special.

BH35275