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.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, Kensington Office, London