Head of Merchandising jobs
Overseeing the merchandising department, this role often involves working with the UK and international function, where appropriate, to identify new market opportunities and partner relationships.
Head of Merchandising often works closely with Head of Buying in a business to deliver appropriate ranges that are seasonally focused, ensuring key international events and counter-seasonal markets are catered for.
Central to partner communications, Head of Merchandising roles are brand ambassadors in all meetings and negotiations and there is an emphasis on working with the senior leadership team to define and deliver a clear strategy for the future.
This role involves leading and motivating the team to ensure consistently high standards and best practice are maintained across all processes.
The role offers the opportunity to build and consolidate relationships with existing stores, wholesale and franchise partners through on-going communication and delivery of mutual objectives.
The skills required
As Head of Merchandising you will have experience of working within international wholesale and franchise models, with extensive knowledge of buying and merchandising principles and processes. An understanding of global markets is essential as well as the ability to translate customer insight into working practice.
As a skilled communicator you will be a confident negotiator and well versed in relationship building.
Commercial acumen is mandatory as Head of Merchandising as well as the ability to think strategically. In a fast-moving market, resilience is a valued quality as well as being an agile thinker and problem solver.
Head of Merchandising Jobs in Harlow
During the post-war period as Britain was faced with rebuilding millions of shattered homes and re-housing their inhabitants, a radical solution was to build a series of new towns. Most cities of the UK have some form of new town within them or in their orbital range. Harlow in Essex was one such town. Situated 20 miles (33 km) north east of the centre of London, it was a grand project, with thousands of homes as well as industrial, shopping, entertainment and communications infrastructure being built around what was a village dating back at least to the Domesday Book.
Expansion was steady, taking place between the late 1950s and the 1970s, as jobs were created and the town became a reasonably attractive place to live. Although manufacturing was once a major industry in Harlow, it has since declined, and now the economy is largely service-based. The large factories have recently been demolished and smaller units for start-ups have been built with the hope of kickstarting a new tech sector. However the town is still home to some major employers, most notably GlaxoSmithKline and American defence firm Raytheon.
The town is well placed to serve London, situated as it is on the M11 that runs from the capital to Cambridge, and there are also good rail links to both cities. Stansted Airport is just 20 minutes up the motorway, too. With much regeneration going on in the town, it’s likely that the demand for Head of Merchandising jobs will grow over the coming years. Keep checking back or get in touch if you’d like us to search the area for such positions.
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Search for Head of Merchandising opportunities with Cast UK
As market leading recruitment specialists for professional level merchandising roles, Cast UK is committed to building long-term relationships with our clients, enabling us to understand their business models and the positions they are recruiting.
We get to know the personalities and objectives of each candidate; understanding what motivates them, and the appropriate cultural fit for them. This attention to detail means that we are able to make excellent matches between applicants and employers, making placements that are lasting and mutually rewarding.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Head of Merchandising role for your business or find you a job as Head of Merchandising, contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345
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