Head of Merchandising

Job Description

What you’ll do:

Commercial Awareness

• Responsible for developing a strong level of commercial awareness within the Merchandising team; encourages teams to analyse and react to regional differences, patterns, competitors and changes in the market
• Focuses the team on the needs of the customer in all activities
• Coaches and develops teams in applying range development and store offering insights throughout the business

Forecasting & Trading

• Oversees and reviews tools and reporting outcomes and leads the team to ensure accuracy of all reporting carried out, including strategy, sign-off and range presentations.
• Provides direction, guidance and coaching to team in making data-based decisions, including:
• Conducting regular trading reviews with the Merchandiser and Buying teams to maximise sales and manage stock levels
• Regularly reviewing WSSI's with the Merchandiser ensuring appropriate action has been taken

Strategy & Planning

• Gives a clear strategic message to the team that focuses on trend and sales growth opportunities. Communicates strategies and plans to department and senior management and takes accountability and ownership for strategies

Product Knowledge

• Coaches teams on developing product knowledge, competitor insight and commercial acumen to maximise sales
• Challenges range developments to strike a balance between newness and continuity of products
• Identifies larger social and cultural trends that will have a commercial impact

Leadership

• Build, manage and mentor a high performing team focused on delivering the Merchandising strategy across departments. Shares an engaging and inspiring vision with the team and provides clarity and a sense of direction to enable working towards common goals. Generates enthusiasm and commitment within the team and across Primark to shared outcomes.

Collaboration

• Builds trust and credibility across Primark and develops strong internal networks and partnerships to achieve strategic objectives. Facilitates learning, ideas and information sharing across teams.
• Collaborate with and influence stakeholders in all relevant business areas to deliver commercially successful product ranges for Primark.

Qualifications

What you’ll bring:

Here are some of the experiences and skills you’ll need for the role:

• 10+ years of experience in a Merchandising role, with at least 5 years in a senior management position
• Relevant qualification in a fashion-related or commerce-related subject, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation and execution of Merchandising strategies and plans
• Experience in creating a high-performance culture through target setting, performance evaluation, and employee engagement. Strong leadership skills, with the ability to effectively coach, guide and mentor while ensure the team achieves its goals
• Demonstrated experience creating effective relationships across the business, with prior experience of relationship management at Executive levels. 
• Demonstrated ability in developing a culture that embraces innovation, and challenges existing paradigms without compromising business performance
• Highly skilled negotiator with demonstrated experience in supplier management

Additional Information

What you’ll get:

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle:

• 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more.
• Flexible Working, opportunity for an early Friday finish, and a subsidised cafeteria.
• Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business a over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we're Caring and always strive to put people first. We're also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility requests, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist.