Merchandiser

The Role:

Reporting to the Head of Merchandising (UK & EU), with a dotted line to the Director of Retail (UK & EU), this position will be focused on driving full-price growth within our UK market. This role will also be pivotal in ensuring a seamless customer experience across all full price channels and contributing to an increase in store and online performance and profitability.

This is a 12 month contract.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Buying and Merchandising:

• Collaborate with Digital, Retail and central Buying and Merchandising teams to optimise inventory management, pricing strategies, and promotional activities for the UK market.
• Carry out quarterly seasonal buying for UK Mulberry stores and concession partners, to meet business plan and goals, aligning to OTB.
• Seasonal forecasting of Core products, ensuring repeat orders are placed to achieve sales plan and meet core availability targets.
• Support the Head of Merchandising on seasonal and yearly budgeting and reforecasting process, including the MD strategy, sales targets and margins for UK stores.
• With the support of the Assistant Merchandiser, responsible for UK Full Price stock management including allocation, consolidation, raising orders, IDS review across New, Seasonal and Core FP products.
• Oversee product launches for the UK FP market aligned to the central B&M Product launches guidelines and digital trading calendar.

Performance Monitoring and Trade:

• Weekly review of performance and KPI’s, managing the team to react and drive trade.
• Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track success, sell through reports, weeks cover, inventory turnover, stock to sales ratio for your market.
• Present merchandising updates in weekly trade meetings with retail and digital teams, sharing insightful analysis and clear actions.
• Provide regular reports and updates to the wider business, including senior management, on performance and progress.
• Challenge and improve processes and reporting.

Omnichannel Distribution:

• Drive the integration of online and offline channels to create a cohesive, seamless customer experience.
• Oversee the UK Full-Price Merchandising team to ensure optimal product placement and presentation across all channels, ensuring the right balance between Mulberry owned and third-party concessions.
• Optimise product categories across network, ensuring stock availability targets are met.
• Complete regular store visits and build strong relationships with area managers and store managers to improve area’s performance.
• Partner closely with Retail and central B&M teams on any new store openings, responsible for the product assortment and opening allocation.

Market Analysis:

• Monitor sales performance through both quantitative analyses and qualitative feedback.
• Undertake detailed analyses to understand business opportunities and risks.
• Conduct regular market research and analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive landscape including pricing feedback.
• Utilise data-driven insights to inform buying decisions and merchandising strategies for your market.

Collaboration:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with concession partners through regular trade calls and seasonal buy appointments.
• Collaborate with key internal stakeholders: Digital Trading and Marketing, Retail, B&M, VM, Finance and Logistics.

Team:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing UK merchandising team.
• Have a collaborative and open working style, empowering your team
• Lead the team to deliver quality, timeliness, and accuracy of all merchandising packs
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages continuous improvement.

Culture:

• Embrace and demonstrate the Mulberry values and behaviours: honesty, dynamism, and a community-oriented spirit.
• Support Mulberry to deliver an inclusive culture, through behaving in a way that is open-minded and respectful towards others, and understanding that your views, opinions, and experiences may not always be shared by your colleagues.
• Act as an ambassador for Mulberry and communicate positively about the brand.

Sustainability:

• As a certified B Corp, we are committed to using business as a force for good. You’ll be encouraged to incorporate environmentally and socially responsible practices into your work, supporting our Made to Last strategy across Climate, Circularity, and Community.
• Help foster a culture where diversity is celebrated and every individual feels valued, respected, and included. Champion equity, empathy, and understanding in all interactions - internally and externally.

Skills and Experience Required:

• Previous Buying and Merchandising experience at Merchandiser level.
• Extensive knowledge of the UK Retail and Digital landscape.
• Ability to work autonomously with an entrepreneurial spirit and creative flair.
• A proven track record of driving commercial performance and profitability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Analytical with an ability to digest and distil data into actionable insights.
• Personable and engaging with an ability to develop high functioning relationships with key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Prima and Business Objects desirable but not essential.