Head of Merchandising, Space and Inventory PlanningRetail Support Centre - Trade - Crewe

June 4, 2025

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Full Time

Crewe, CW1 6NA

Competitive

June 4, 2025

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Job description

WHAT WILL THIS ROLE INVOLVE?We are seeking a highly experienced Head of Merchandising to lead our product assortment, stock/inventory planning, and visual merchandising teams. This is a critical leadership role that will drive our product strategy, ensuring we offer a compelling and profitable range of stationery that resonates with our target audience and reinforces our brand identity. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of retail merchandising, a strong analytical mindset, and a passion for stationery. WHAT WILL YOU BE RESPONSIBLE FOR?Strategic Vision & Leadership:<ul><li>Develop and execute a comprehensive merchandising strategy aligned with the company's overall business objectives, brand vision, and financial goals.</li><li>Identify market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscapes to inform product development and assortment planning.</li><li>Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing merchandising/stock team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.</li></ul>Stock & Allocation Management :<ul><li>Own the end to end stock flow strategy including intake phasing, allocations, replenishment and clearance.</li><li>Work with Supply Chain and Retail Operations to optimise stock availability across all channels.</li><li>Full ownership of the WSSIand on-going development.</li></ul>Product Assortment & Planning:<ul><li>Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, from concept and development to launch and discontinuation.</li><li>Collaborate closely with the buying team, design, and Far East sourcing teams to ensure timely and effective product launches.</li><li>Develop and manage product assortments across all categories, channels and price points, optimising all for sales, margin, and inventory turns.</li><li>Conduct regular sales analysis, performance reviews, and forecasting to identify opportunities and mitigate risks.</li><li>Manage open-to-buy (OTB) and inventory levels to maximise profitability and minimise excess stock.</li></ul>Space and Visual Planning:<ul><li>Define and implement visual merchandising guidelines for all retail environments ensuring consistent brand representation and an engaging customer experience.</li><li>Develop compelling in-store displays, planograms, and promotional strategies to drive sales and enhance the customer journey.</li><li>Lead space and layout planning including planogramming, seasonal promotional layouts and ensuring profitable space return</li><li>Use space productivity data to influence range rationalisation and layout resets</li></ul>Vendor Relationships & Sourcing:<ul><li>Collaborate with stock and merchandising and buying team to identify, evaluate, and manage vendor relationships, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and ethical practices.</li><li>Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to deliver a market leading on time, if full (OTIF) to enable KPI delivery.</li></ul>Collaboration & Communication:<ul><li>Work cross-functionally with marketing, operations, finance, and buying teams to ensure seamless execution of merchandising strategies.</li><li>Present merchandising strategies, performance reports, and insights to senior leadership.</li><li>Create board decks and present to Senior leadership teams the Merchandising strategies.</li></ul>Qualifications:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Degree in Business, Merchandising preferred</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Industry experience in merchandising, with at least 2-4 years in a leadership role, preferably within the stationery, gift, home goods, or a similar consumer products industry.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Proven track record of developing and executing successful merchandising strategies that drive sales growth and profitability.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Expertise in retail inventory management, and open-to-buy planning.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Demonstrated experience in visual merchandising and creating compelling product presentations.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team.</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Lead with humility and builds a culture of challenge and collaboration</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Comfortable with fast paced decision making and takes accountability and ownership for their decisions</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Commercially curious and thrived on improving processes and outcomes</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Proficiency in merchandising software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel).</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A genuine passion for stationery products and an understanding of the stationery market is highly desirable</li></ul> WHAT WILL WE OFFER YOU?<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A passionate, dynamic team where your growth, ideas, and impact matter</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A competitive pay package</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Company pension scheme with the option to enhance</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Generous holiday allowance including an extra wellbeing day that gives you time to recharge</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Training programme to help you excel in your role</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Opportunities through our apprenticeship programs to keep building on your skills</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Access to mental health first aiders, wellness sessions, and support groups</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Exclusive discounts across all of our brands and through our benefits hub</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Cycle2Work scheme</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Long service and recognition awards</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Colleague referral scheme</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Company and team social events</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Free on-site parking</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Subsidised canteen</li></ul> WHO ARE WE?Founded by Henry J Ryman in 1893, Ryman has been the go-to destination for stationery, office supplies, printing, technology, and more for over 130 years. We are part of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, which also includes Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue, and London Graphic Centre. From our very first store on Great Portland Street, we have grown to over 200 locations and a thriving website and app offering quality products and exceptional service. We believe in supporting our colleagues and equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to grow, thrive, and have fun whilst doing it. At Ryman, all of our teams from our stores to our warehouse and Retail Support Centre are passionate about retail. We put our customers first and have a common goal to keep them at the heart of everything we do. We are energetic and enthusiastic, delivering results through resilience, innovation, and adaptability. If you are a team player who's ready to make an impact, this could be the perfect role for you.Ryman is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act. Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams. We celebrate differences, encourage everyone to join us, and be themselves at work.PLEASE NOTE THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE AND YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT OTHER DUTIES AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.

Ryman