Head of Merchandising

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
.

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.

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.

• 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.