We're aware of a global phishing scam impersonating employees via email, WhatsApp and Telegram, but no Cast UK systems have been breached.
Find out how to protect yourself here.

Head of Merchandising - South Shields

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 South Shields

South Shields sits at the mouth of the Tyne in Tyne and Wear, about 8 miles (13 km) downstream of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead, and about the same distance north of Sunderland. Although mining, shipbuilding and docks played a massive role in the town’s emergence during and after the Industrial Revolution, much of these industries has now been closed down, and the town relies on the service sector for local jobs. More likely, however, South Shields’ inhabitants will commute to Newcastle or Sunderland for their working lives. The port is still active, and although it is a shadow of its former self, seems to be growing.

The town punches above its weight when it comes to the list of famous people who were born or brought up there. The director of Alien, Prometheus, Thelma and Louise and Gladiator, Ridley Scott was born there, as were F1 genius Sir Frank Williams, Python Eric Idle, novelist Catherine Cookson and comedian Sarah Millican. At least some of them still have their Tyneside accents!

If you’re looking for Head of Merchandising jobs in South Shields, it might be worth expanding your search a little to take in the surrounding towns and cities and perhaps even to look for related jobs rather than an exact match. Although the docks are active, there will be more diversity in Newcastle, Sunderland and Gateshead. Please ask our consultants if you are interested, as they will be able to do a more general search and flag up other positions that might be of interest.

Looking to advance your career?

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

Contact us