Chief Merchandising Officer

Description:

Chief Merchandising Officer

London | Permanent | Executive

Our client is a well-known UK consumer retail business, backed by an international parent group. The UK business serves a large, loyal customer base through multiple channels.

The company is appointing a Chief Merchandising Officer for the UK business. This is the senior commercial role in the market. It carries full P&L accountability and senior people leadership responsibility, and it reports into the group's international leadership.

The role

Own the UK trading performance and P&L, with accountability for revenue, margin and cost against plan
Set the merchandising and commercial strategy for the market, including category direction, product mix and range planning
Lead the weekly trading rhythm, balancing the immediate number against decisions that build long-term value
Strengthen vendor and brand partnerships, and rebuild the buying capability that brings in new and exclusive product
Use customer insight and trading data to sharpen how product is planned, presented and sold across every channel
Set and implement the strategy for new market entry
Lead an experienced senior commercial team, and build the depth and succession beneath it

What you'll bring

Senior commercial or general management experience with full P&L accountability at scale, ideally in retail, e-commerce, or consumer
Real depth across merchandising, trading and customer, and the financial judgement to make sound investment calls that add accretive value to the company
The ability to balance the needs of an existing and typically loyal customer base with driving new customer acquisition via exciting new channels
Experience leading through a senior team, rather than running functions personally

The role is based in London with travel to the company's other locations as required.

The package is a competitive executive base salary, with an annual bonus and long-term incentive. We handle all approaches in strict confidence.

BH37388