Branch Merchandiser

About Varley Clothing

Varley is a contemporary fashion brand for the modern woman. Founded in 2015 by husband-and-wife Lara and Ben Mead, we are an international, family-run business headquartered between London, Los Angeles, and New York. 

We create year-round collections designed to build an elevated wardrobe for how women live and move. From knitwear and outerwear to everyday staples and active pieces, our collections blend style, function, and versatility. 

Varley exists to instil quiet confidence through meaningful connections that enhance everything women already are. As women’s lives evolve, so do we. 

Our international family-run team is 85% female, making us proud to be a brand for women, by women. We are guided by two core beliefs: the pursuit of quality in everything we do and looking after one another. 

Job Description

As our retail channel continues to expand, we are looking for an experienced Branch Merchandiser to own and drive store-level merchandising, allocation and stock optimisation across our global retail estate. Initially a hands-on role, this position will play a key part in establishing the processes, reporting frameworks, and commercial disciplines required to support a growing store portfolio. As the retail business evolves, the role offers the opportunity to grow into a more senior position with responsibility for leading allocation resources and shaping the future branch merchandising structure. Working closely with Retail, Planning Merchandisers and cross-functional teams, you will ensure that the right stock is in the right place at the right time, maximising sales opportunities whilst maintaining stock efficiency and supporting a best-in-class customer experience.

Responsibilities

·       Own and execute the retail allocation and replenishment strategy across all stores, using daily trading insights to optimise stock distribution, availability and sales performance.

·       Drive data-led stock decisions through analysis of key metrics including Weeks Cover, sell-through, size performance, stock turn and availability.

·       Build, maintain and continually enhance store reporting and tools that provide clear, actionable insights to support merchandising decisions.

·       Identify stock risks and opportunities and take proactive action to maximise sales whilst balancing store capacity and replenishment lead times.

·       Define and manage store option counts, stock depth and category allocations, ensuring stock levels are aligned to capacity, demand and trading performance.

·       Review and evolve store grading, space planning and stock holding principles to support a growing retail estate.

·       Act as the key link between Retail and Merchandising teams, building strong relationships and providing clear communication on stock actions, priorities and trading performance.

·       Collaborate with Retail and Planning Merchandising teams to improve forecasting, stock optimisation and overall commercial decision making.

·       Own the development and execution of stock packages for new store openings, ensuring optimal range architecture, size profiles and stock depth for each location.

·       Lead merchandising input into new store opening projects, partnering with Property, Retail and Operations teams to ensure successful launches.

·       Review new store performance, identifying opportunities and implementing learnings to improve future openings.

·       Establish scalable processes and ways of working that support the continued growth and development of the retail channel.

Experienceand Skills

·       Previous experience in Branch Merchandising, Retail Merchandising or Allocation within a retail or apparel business.

·       Strong commercial awareness with the ability to interpret trading performance and identify opportunities.

·       Experience managing allocation and replenishment across multiple store locations.

·       Advanced analytical capability with strong Excel skills.

·       Experience building and maintaining reporting that supports commercial decision making.

·       Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

·       Proven ability to influence and collaborate across multiple business functions.

·       Highly organised with strong attention to detail.

·       Knowledge of store space planning and capacity management.

·       People management experience

Our People 

We think of ourselves as an international family-run business that embodies our founders’ commitment to creating timeless collections for the modern woman. What started as a company of two, has grown into a close-knit team of thinkers, creators, and innovators, taking care of our clothes, each other, and our community.

Split across the UK and USA, our team is 85% female, making us proud to be a brand for women, by women.

We are guided by two core beliefs: the pursuit of quality in everything we do and looking after one another. Everything else should take care of itself.

Company Values

We are the sum of many parts.

We may have two founders but we are the sum of many parts. The journey is just as important as the destination. We look after one another. We promote diversity and inclusivity as central parts of the culture we are building. We are less when we don’t include everyone. Our successes and our failures we make as a team not as individuals.

We pursue quality in everything we do.

We should chase perfection in everything we do. Growth is a result of improvements to every aspects of what we do, not just reliant on an individual or department. We grow together.

We embrace possibility and push boundaries.

We believe that there are no limits to what we can achieve. We encourage innovative thinking, pushing boundaries, and embracing new possibilities. We constantly challenge ourselves to think beyond the ordinary and create extraordinary outcomes.

Data-driven decisions and purposeful actions.

We base our decisions and actions on data and reason, not on hope. We prioritize and justify our choices through thoughtful analysis. We think before we act, understanding the impact of our actions.

Our brand is timeless and valuable.

Our brand is our most valuable asset, and we treat it with the utmost respect. We recognize that our brand will outlive us and strive to enhance its value through everything we do. We prioritise long-term growth over short-term gains, ensuring the longevity of our brand's reputation.

We never compromise our product.

We believe the best form of marketing is to make a better product. Let word of mouth be the most powerful marketing channel. Constantly improve, however marginal a gain. Our product is defined by the quality not price.

We respect and exceed customer expectations.

We deeply appreciate and value those who choose to consume our brand. We consistently strive to surpass their expectations in every interaction. Our goal is to transform customers into passionate advocates who enthusiastically share their positive experiences with others.

We choose partners who reflect our values.

We view our suppliers, service providers, and stockists as partners, not mere business relationships. We carefully select partners who align with our values and standards. We understand that the company we keep reflects our brand's integrity and reputation.

We grow our brand by empowering others.

We understand that the way we present information is just as crucial as the information itself. We focus not only on what we do but also on how our actions positively impact others. We aim to empower and support those around us, fostering growth and creating meaningful connections.

Responsibility is at the core of everything we do.

We believe that responsibility is as fundamental as the fit of a garment. We prioritise ethical practices and sustainability in all aspects of our business. We are accountable for our actions and strive to make a positive impact on our environment and communities.

Kindness is our guiding principle.

We prioritise treating others with respect, empathy, and understanding. We believe that kindness creates a positive work environment and fosters strong relationships with our team members, partners, and customers.