Merchandiser

We have an exciting opportunity for a Merchandiser working in the Morleys Stores Group head office based in Wimbledon. It is a full time position, reporting to the Head of Merchandising.

Morleys Department Stores Group is an independent, privately-owned department store group that operates 7 stores principally in Greater London and Newbury, and an Ecommerce platform for our flagship store in Wimbledon. Our stores are at the heart of local communities and have centuries of heritage, brand trust and loyalty – all key to the values we bring to life in-store and through our communications. 

Role Overview

The Merchandiser is responsible for leading the commercial planning strategy across designated product categories, managing, and optimising product ranges to drive sales, maximise profitability, and control stock across a £100m+ department store group.

This role drives sales, profit, stock optimisation through effective planning, forecasting, trading and inventory, this role combines commercial analysis, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure the right products are available at the right time, in the right quantities across our 7-store portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Trading

• Develop and deliver seasonal and annual merchandise financial plans aligned with business strategy, company sales and margin targets
• Drive forecasting accuracy and manage OTB (Open to Buy) processes and budgets and stock levels to ensure effective inventory control
• Drive sales, profit and stock performance across multiple locations and digital channels where applicable
• Monitor weekly sales, stock, and margin performance, identifying risks and opportunities
• Reforecast sales and intake based on performance trends and market conditions
• Analyse historical performance, market trends and customer behaviour to identify commercial opportunities and risks

Range & Stock Management

• In Conjunction with the Head of Merchandising own in season trading performance and proactively react to weekly trade performance
• Manage stock allocation (RRO’s) and intake flow to optimise product availability across all categories, increase sell- through and minimise markdown and improve stock productivity
• Ensure effective replenishment and allocation strategies are in place across all stores.
• Identify underperforming categories, brands or stores and work with buying team to implement recovery actions
• Oversee stock turn, sell-through rates, and aged stock management
• Lead markdown and promotional strategies to drive revenue and clear stock efficiently

Commercial Analysis

• Analyse historical performance, market trends and customer behaviour to identify commercial opportunities and risks.
• Partner closely with the buying teams to build commercially balanced assortments and category strategies
• Provide actionable insights to buying and senior leadership teams
• Use data to influence range planning, pricing architecture, promotional activity and mark down decisions
• Satellite Department relationships
• Work closely with Buyers to understand range building
• Partner with Finance, Marketing, and Store Operations teams to align on trading plans

Team Leadership

• Working with the Head of Merchandising to manage, coach and develop Junior Merchandisers and Buying Administrators
• Set clear objectives and performance expectations for the team, provide coaching to improve team performance
• Build merchandising capability through training and mentoring
• Encourage a collaborative, commercially focused and solution-oriented team
• Ensure strong accuracy, pace and attention to detail across all merchandising processes

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in merchandising within fashion, home, beauty retail (department store environment preferred)
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of driving sales and margin
• Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in Excel
• Experience managing budgets and stock volumes.
• Excellent planning, organisation, and prioritisation skills

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Sales and margin performance
• Stock turn target 2.3 to 2.5
• Markdown percentage of sales
• Budget & Forecast accuracy
• OTB management

Personal Attributes

• Strong analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Commercially driven and customer focused strategic thinker with strong trading instincts
• Highly organised and detail oriented
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive problem solver with strong decision-making capability and results focused.
• Collaborative team player with leadership capability

Desirable

• Experience in a £100m+ sales turnover.
• Knowledge of department store trading.
• Experience with merchandising software (e.g. SAP/BYD, Futura)