The role We’re looking for an Group Head of

The role

We’re looking for an Group Head of Merchandising to join our Retail team

The Group Head of Merchandising will lead the Heads of Merchandising to ensure a consistent and aligned approach within the Merchandising function, ensuring that commercial and profitable product ranges are developed and bought in order to maximise profit and sales. Supporting the Director of Prooduct, the Group HoM will be a role model and advocate for the Merchandising department within the business. They will be a natural leader and communicator, results driven, obsessed with customer, focussed on team as well as leveraging strategic thinking.

What will you do as an Group Head of Merchandising at N Brown?

To support the Director of Product, providing the business with a holistic view of Merchandising workstreams.
To develop the Heads of Merchandising to support the delivery of Product, Brand and Group key metrics.
To work with the General Managers and Heads of Trade in leading key trading forums.
To work closely with the General Managers, Heads of Merchandising, Buying, Marketing and Trading to deliver a customer and commercial selling plan
To embrace the group’s structural changes, supporting the agile methodology and leading positive transformation.
To lead the Merchandising teams to ensure the department is aligned, consistent and building on the transformation topics.
To act as a thought leader within the department to challenge the status quo, embed new ways of working and take the hearts and minds of the team with them.
Working with the Head of Buying, to create and manage the brand and divisional strategy and budgets to deliver customer needs and brand segmentation.
Manage current and future trading & service challenges help to drive and maximise sales and profitability by working cross functionally to own the delivery of the plan.
Owning the Category P & L to ensure optimisation of product performance, from demand, markdown, stock, intake, returns to underlying costs to ensure key objectives are achieved.
Leading the Heads of Merchandising / merchandise teams with WSSI ownership and day to day management to optimise availability, intake, service and stock levels in line with business needs.
Forecast, analyse and action commercial data to be able to react to trading opportunities / trends in performance to shape the trading plan to drive the optimum commercial and customer outcome
Working cross functionally across the business, leverage digital metrics and adjust stock & intake forecasts accordingly
Working with internal and external market insight to drive new technology solutions into the merchandise function of the business
To lead, recruit, performance manage, train, develop and motivate a merchandise team to ensure that the business, brand and individual’s objectives and development plans are met.
To work with Logistics and Buying teams to ensure sourcing and supply strategy is implemented.

What skills and experience will you have?

Degree level or equivalent with related work experience.
Senior leadership experience – proven track record of motivation, strategic thinking, challenging the status quo and leading hearts and minds.
Business Management, Commercial Finance, Analysis and Statistics
To be able to interpret complex issues and be able to communicate and lead solutions across multiple stakeholders.

What’s in it for you?

Hybrid working
24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days
Annual bonus scheme
Enhanced maternity and adoption leave
Access to Apricity, a self-funding IVF benefit at a reduced rate
Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution
Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services
A range of financial wellbeing support
Colleague discount across all N Brown brands
Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance
Paid volunteer time – all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice

N Brown – who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by ‘championing inclusion, we’ll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer’. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

We’re a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We’re customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We’re experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We’re inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we’re sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we’re so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you’re in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we’re perfectly located, plus we’re surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!

Our full-time working hours are 36.17 per week over 5-days. We don’t have strict working hours therefore there is some flexibility around start and finish times as long as you are meeting the needs of the business.

Our promise to you:

We’re an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we’ll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!