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 Stockport
Only six miles south of Manchester, Stockport is situated on the confluence of the rivers Goyt, Tame and Mersey. It's a town that has long been associated with manufacturing and is a good location for those seeking Head of Merchandising opportunities.
Contrary to what you would expect by looking at the town's name, Stockport was never much of a port town since the Mersey is a fairly narrow and shallow waterway in this region. Rather, the name simply combines the Old English words for 'marketplace' and 'hamlet'.
Indeed, Stockport has been a hub of commerce for hundreds of years, mainly as a source for textiles and hats, producing as many as six million pieces of headwear a year at the industry's peak.
Silk weaving and cotton spinning expanded during the 18th century with mills that were first powered by water, then steam. Other related industries included block making, trimming manufacture and leather ware.
Hat making in Stockport finally came to an end in the 1990s and the textile industry has also declined significantly. However, the town has moved with the times and its economy is now mainly based in the service sector.
The financial industry employs a large portion of Stockport's population, with companies like the Co-Op Bank and Swinton Insurance having facilities in the area.
In addition, manufacturing plays a part in the local economy. For example, BAE Systems, United Biscuits, PZ Cussons and NXP Semiconductors have factories in Stockport. What's more, Robinsons is a regional brewery that produces around 35,000 barrels of beer a year.
Popular locations
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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