Merchandiser

Job Description Level Up Talent Solutions is looking for an experienced and commercially driven Merchandiser to support the planning, trading, and commercial performance of the product range. The role will be responsible for ensuring the right products are available in the right quantities, at the right time and in the right channels, while supporting revenue, margin, stock, and profitability targets.

Working closely with the Buying, Design, Product Technology, E-Commerce, Warehouse, and wider Commercial teams, the successful candidate will use data, market trends, and commercial insights to support range planning, forecasting, stock management, trading decisions, and product launches. The role requires strong commercial thinking, numerical and analytical capability, planning skills, and cross-functional collaboration, with the ability to identify risks and opportunities and translate data into clear commercial actions.

Key Responsibilities

Range Planning & Commercial Strategy Partner with Buying, Design, and Product Technology teams to plan and build seasonal product ranges aligned with brand and commercial objectives. Develop category budgets and sales plans using historical performance, market trends, and commercial insights. Support the Buying team in developing an effective Good, Better, Best product proposition and price architecture.

Support range planning for concessions and marketplaces through relevant sales and performance analysis. Balance customer, product, and financial objectives when making range and commercial recommendations. Forecasting, Stock & OTB Management Strategically plan and manage Open to Buy (OTB), stock intake, and inventory levels to maximize product availability while controlling stock risk.

Own and maintain category WSSI plans, identifying risks, opportunities, and required actions. Monitor sales and stock performance and reforecast where necessary based on changes in demand and trading performance. Support logistics planning and resolve stock, intake, and supply-related concerns. Identify potential overstock, understock, and availability risks and recommend appropriate actions.

Trading & Performance Analysis Monitor key commercial KPIs, including revenue, margin, markdown, ASP, and profit. Analyze trading performance and translate data into clear recommendations and actions. Prepare for and actively contribute to weekly trade meetings, highlighting performance, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.

Develop and manage the departmental promotional plan in coordination with relevant teams. Monitor promotional performance and recommend adjustments to maximize commercial results. Margin & Supplier Management Partner with Buying on direct sourcing, cross-costing, and supplier negotiations to support margin targets. Build strong relationships with external suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Identify opportunities to improve product costs, margins, stock efficiency, and overall profitability. Support commercial decisions by analyzing supplier costs and product performance. Product Launch & Critical Path Work cross-functionally to ensure the critical path is effectively managed and seasonal milestones are achieved.

Ensure product data, attributes, and commercial information are accurately set up in internal systems before launch. Partner with E-Commerce and Warehouse teams to support smooth product onboarding, availability, and fulfillment. Monitor launch readiness and proactively identify risks that may affect product availability or trading performance.

Team Leadership & Development Manage, coach, and mentor the Assistant Merchandiser, providing clear priorities and development support. Delegate appropriate administrative activities while maintaining accountability for the quality and accuracy of merchandising outputs. Promote strong collaboration, accountability, commercial awareness, and data-driven decision-making across the team.

Support the development of merchandising capability and knowledge within the wider team.

Requirements

4+ years of experience in a Merchandising or similar commercial planning role. Strong experience in merchandise planning, forecasting, WSSI, OTB, stock management, and trading analysis. Excellent numerical and analytical skills with the ability to translate data into commercial recommendations. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

Strong understanding of sales, margin, markdown, ASP, profitability, and stock performance. Strong commercial and strategic mindset with the ability to balance customer, product, and financial objectives. Excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple seasonal priorities. Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.

Ability to build effective relationships with internal teams and external suppliers. Confidence to challenge, recommend, and make commercially informed decisions. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across multiple functions. Advantageous: Previous experience managing, coaching, or developing junior team members.

Experience in retail, E-Commerce, consumer goods, or multi-channel businesses. Experience working with concessions, marketplaces, or international sales channels. Experience with inventory planning, commercial forecasting, or promotional planning. Experience using merchandising, inventory, or business intelligence systems.