Head of Merchandising - Home & Tech

Job Description

We have an opportunity for an experienced Head of Merchandisingwho thrives in a very fast paced, commercial environment. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic, adaptable leader with the passion to make an impact not just on Home but the entire NBrown business.Reporting to the Merchandise Controller, the Head of Merchandising is responsible for leading a team of merchandisers to deliver sales, profit and stock KPIs. This is both a strategic and tactical role with specific focus on range management, budgeting andforecasting, analysing trends, reacting to market conditions and anticipating possible opportunities and challenges to the business before they impact the financials.Fundamentally, theyensurethe right stock is in the right place at the right time, so N Brown customers can buy what they want, when they want it.Key Head of Merchandising areas of responsibility are:

• To create, manage and own product category budget and strategy to deliver customer needs and brand segmentation working closely with Head of Buying
• Working with Heads of Buying, Marketing & Trade to create a challenging but realistic trading plan for the Product Divisions to deliver budget requirements.
• Effectively manage current and future trading & service challenges help to drive and maximise sales and profitability. Working cross functionally with key stakeholders own the Product teams element of the plan.
• Owning the Category P & L to ensure full optimisation of product performance, from demand, markdown, stock and intake and returns to ensure NAM is achieved / exceeded vs Plan
• Leading the Merchandise teams with WSSI ownership and day to day management to ensure & optimise availability, intake, service and stock levels in line with business demand needs.
• Forecast, analyse and action commercial data to be able to react to trading opportunities / trends in performance to shape the trading plan in season in order to drive the optimum commercial and customer outcome
• Working closely with digital team to interpret and react to online metrics and Warehouse & Logistics to adjust stock & intake Forecasts accordingly
• Working in conjunction with market experts to drive forward, design concepts & solutions and deliver new technology solutions into the merchandise function of the business that are market leading and best in class
• To lead, recruit, performance manage, train, develop and motivate a merchandise team to ensure that the business, brand and individuals objectives as well as development plans are met.
• To work with Logistics and Buying teams in related supplier selection, relationships and the negotiation process to achieve required cost price breaks at different volume levels.
• To lead supply base management, supporting sourcing strategy working closely with the buying and PI functions to ensure the merchandising elements of the critical path are delivered and accurate as well as on time. Negotiating with suppliers at strategicrelationship level to ensure maximum output. Proactively working with Buying team to look for new product sources in line with market trends and consolidation where opportunity lies.

What you will need to succeed as Head of Merchandising here at N Brown:

• A degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject such as Business Management & Statistics.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to relate business needs and requirements in a compelling and understandable way to the team and the wider business stakeholders.
• The leadership skills to lead a team and engage/influence multiple stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly appraise complex situations, identify key issues and make tough, timely decisions.
• The ability to work under pressure and be resilient and tenacious to get results.
• Excellent communication skills to instigate and maintain excellent working relationships with customers, global suppliers, third parties and cross business stakeholders.
• Proven track record as a Manager and Leader of People within a Merchandising environment.

In return you will receive a competitive salary and benefits and be part of a team that encourages individual ideas and innovation and which is integral in supporting the business through its exciting, ongoing transformation.Employees in our business may have access to our customers personal data therefore for a number of our roles, offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory criminal record check.Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an individualfrom obtaining a position with N Brown Group.