Merchandiser - Own Label

We are recruiting for a Merchandiser to join the Own Label team here at Harrods. 

About the Role 

As the Merchandiser for our Own Label team, you will be responsible for leading your Assistant Merchandiser in the planning of sales, stock, intake, margin and open to buy (OTB) across all channels. Basing this off of your detail analysis of historical performance and reflecting the agreed strategy with the Buying Team – monitoring trade across your department & it’s impact on stock and sales.

You will work closing with the Buying team, covering a vast array  of product, including Apparel, Homeware, Christmas, Stationary, Bags & Accessories, Royal Collection and dual branded partnerships. This is an exciting time to join the team as we navigate an exciting period of change for our Harrods Own Label offering, revolutionizing our current range and expanding the team to support this growth.  Outside of BAU, you will participate in relevant projects and implement process improvements across the wider Demand Planning and Merchandising team, with the aim of driving efficiency and improve ways of working. 

Your duties will also include:

• Undertaking detailed mid-season review of performance: identify key growth factors by channel /category level; quantify opportunities based on analysis to inform the Head of Buying’s future season strategy.
• Proposing top line sales growth by department/channel with Merchandise Manager and Head of Buying. Persuade and influence Head of Buying to increase or decrease departmental plans based on space optimisation or category opportunities. Ensure planned cash margin growth for the Division meets expectation of the business. 
• Building and providing range/category strategy and headlines at stage & gate, Strategy and range sign offs including option recommendations and season buys
• Maintaining forecast in MPR for all channels; present forecast for approval at monthly sign off meeting highlighting key trading opportunities, stock and markdown risks and other considerations. Lead discussion and propose POA for Buying Manager/Head of Buying to follow. Cascade resulting POA to Buying & Merchandising colleagues ensuring follow-up is prioritised.
• Supporting department forecast through analysis of performance and forecasting at a lower level e.g. category. Highlight opportunities and risks at the lower level to give detailed POA for buying & merchandising colleagues.
• Ensure POA is prioritised and followed through.

About You 

We are looking for someone with previous Merchandising experience in an Own Label business – ideally this will be a multi-brand department store or luxury retailer. Either way, you will embody a continuous improvement mindset, with a strong work ethic and commitment to delivering the best for the Harrods customers. 

The ideal candidate will be commercially astute, able to understand key areas for opportunity and, where needed, able to stand up to challenges from around the business with this commercially in mind. You will be a subject matter expert in the product lifecycle, from concept and design stages to range planning and launch. SAP experience would be beneficial. 

You will also:

• Be focused on going above and beyond, delivering a high level of customer service when dealing with both internal and external parties.
• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Possess excellent time-management skills and the ability and willingness to multi-task.
• Be a strong people leader with a focus on coaching and developing their team
• Have a leadership style that is collaborative, and able to join the dots across the business

About Us

Harrods is one of the world’s leading luxury department stores and we’re becoming a destination for top designers, and the most sought-after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world’s most inspiring shopping experiences.

Our Promise to You

Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business. 

In return you’ll receive an excellent benefits package, including a company pension, flexible working, eligibility for a competitive bonus, 25 days’ holiday, and your birthday off, up to 33% in-store discount (including across our food hall and restaurants), and a season ticket loan.

Uniquely You

At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart.  We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.

If you want to know more about our people and our culture, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, Facebook or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods