Head of Merchandising

Head of Merchandising | London | Hybrid Working 3/2 | Superb Brand | Global Responsibility | £100,000 - £120,000

I am currently representing one of the most exciting British brands in the market in the search for a Head of Merchandising.

This is a standout opportunity to join a true success story - a brand that has achieved exceptional global growth and built a powerful reputation internationally. With demand continuing to accelerate, the business is now looking to appoint an experienced merchandising leader who can help shape the next phase of growth and bring greater rigour, visibility and control across stock, forecasting and availability.

This is not a traditional Head of Merchandising appointment. The role requires someone who can operate effectively in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment, where pace is high, change is constant and processes are still evolving. The successful candidate will need to be comfortable building structure, improving visibility and establishing best practice, rather than simply inheriting a fully formed merchandising function.

The Opportunity:

The business is at a pivotal stage in its journey. Demand is strong, global growth is accelerating and there is a clear need to strengthen how stock is forecast, planned and managed across the operation.

The successful candidate will play a critical leadership role in bringing greater clarity and control to the merchandising function, with a particular focus on forecasting, demand planning, stock availability and WSSI management. Given that formal range planning is not currently in place, this role will require a highly commercial and adaptable individual who can work effectively without the traditional framework seen in more established retail businesses.

This opportunity will suit a strong merchandising leader who enjoys building, influencing and creating order within a high-growth environment, and who is energised by the challenge of balancing immediate trade demands with longer-term capability development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the merchandising function through a period of continued global growth, ensuring stock and trading decisions support the wider commercial ambitions of the business.
• Drive improvements in forecasting, creating greater accuracy and visibility around demand, stock requirements and future trading risk.
• Take ownership of demand planning processes, ensuring the business is better equipped to respond to fast-moving customer demand across markets.
• Manage and evolve the WSSI process, using it as a core tool to improve stock flow, availability, intake visibility and commercial decision-making.
• Address key challenges around stock position, product availability and forecasting accuracy, helping the business minimise missed sales opportunity while reducing unnecessary risk.
• Introduce greater structure, discipline and best practice across merchandising processes, reporting and planning.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure stock, supply and trading priorities are aligned across the wider business.
• Provide strong leadership to the merchandising team, setting clear direction, building capability and creating accountability.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with stakeholders at all levels, translating data and trading performance into practical commercial actions.
• Support the business through change, bringing a calm, solutions-led approach within an entrepreneurial and evolving environment.
• Help define what a high-performing merchandising function should look like as the brand continues to scale internationally.

Candidate Profile:

I am keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong merchandising leadership experience, ideally gained within a high-growth fashion, lifestyle or consumer brand.
• Deep understanding of forecasting, demand planning, stock management and WSSIs.
• Experience operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where systems, structure and processes are still developing.
• The ability to lead through ambiguity and change, while bringing clarity, pace and commercial focus.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence to influence cross-functional stakeholders and simplify complex trading issues.
• A proven track record of building, improving or reshaping merchandising processes to support growth.
• Strong people leadership capability, with the ability to motivate, develop and bring a team with them.
• A highly commercial mindset, combined with a hands-on and pragmatic approach.

Why This Role Stands Out:

• Opportunity to join one of the most exciting British growth brands in the market.
• A genuine chance to shape the merchandising function during a significant period of global expansion.
• Broad exposure across a fast-scaling international business.
• A role with real influence, challenge and visibility.
• The chance to make a measurable impact in a business where demand and momentum are exceptionally strong.

BH36514