Senior Merchandiser

Helping CXOs Develop their careers and teams

London | 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)

We are working with a long-standing client of over 22 years — a financially strong, fast-growing sportswear and streetwear brand house — as they continue to strengthen their UK and European teams.

This is a highly entrepreneurial, commercially sharp business with a collaborative and down-to-earth leadership team. The culture is fast-paced but supportive, with clear structure, strong processes, and a long-term mindset. Many people build lasting careers here.

They are now looking to appoint a Senior Merchandiser – E-commerce / Trading on a 12-month maternity cover, to take full ownership of UK online trading performance and ensure continuity while driving profitable growth.

This is a senior, hands‑on ecommerce merchandising role with full accountability for trading performance, inventory strategy, and in‑season decision‑making.

You will lead the UK e‑commerce merchandise plan end‑to‑end, working closely with Digital Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Buying teams to optimise sales, margin, and stock across the online channel.

E-commerce Trading & Business Planning

• Own the annual and seasonal e‑commerce trade plan, aligned to sales, margin, and stock targets
• Define category‑level merchandising strategies to drive conversion, AOV, and sell‑through
• Set monthly sales targets, KPI phasing, and in‑season forecasts
• Partner with Digital Marketing to align PPC and performance marketing spend with commercial targets and ROI

OTB, Assortment & Pricing Strategy

• Own and manage Open‑to‑Buy (OTB) budgets for the e‑commerce channel
• Build and execute clear product, pricing, and assortment architecture across categories
• Manage NOS (Never Out of Stock) strategy for core and high‑performing SKUs
• Reforecast and revise OTB in‑season based on trading performance, ROS, and stock health

Product Calendar & Buying

• Own the seasonal and quarterly product launch calendar, aligned with online trading and marketing activity
• Oversee seasonal, replenishment, and in‑season buys within approved budgets
• Identify range gaps, availability risks, or delivery delays and recommend mitigation plans

Stock, Promotions & Markdown Management

• Monitor stock cover, ageing, and sell‑through to optimise inventory efficiency
• Define and manage promotional and markdown strategies
• Support key peak trading periods including Black Friday, Christmas, and seasonal sales

Performance Analysis & Reporting

• Lead weekly and monthly e‑commerce trade reviews
• Analyse sales, margin, stock, ROS, conversion, and marketing performance
• Deliver clear insights, risks, and opportunities to senior stakeholders

Process & Team Leadership

• Ensure continuity and consistency of existing merchandising and buying processes
• Maintain and refine planning, forecasting, and reporting templates
• Mentor and support merchandisers within the team

• 8+ years’ experience in merchandising or trading, ideally within UK e‑commerce or omnichannel retail
• Strong expertise in OTB management, assortment planning, and in‑season trading
• Highly analytical with advanced Excel and reporting skills
• Experience partnering closely with Digital Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance
• Confident stepping into a senior role quickly and building strong working relationships

• Financially strong, well‑established business with a long‑term mindset
• Senior, commercially impactful role with real ownership
• Collaborative, low‑ego culture with clear structure and pace
• Exposure to a multi‑brand, high‑growth ecommerce environment
• Opportunity to make a visible impact during a key period

Start: ASAP

Location: London office

Employment type: 12‑month fixed‑term contract (maternity cover)

Salary
:
Excellent salary + bonus and perks

• Mid‑Senior level

• Contract

• Marketing, Sales, and Product Management

• Retail Apparel and Fashion, Retail, and Online and Mail Order Retail