Merchandiser - Clothing/Fashion Ecommerce

Position Overview

Our client seeks an experienced Merchandiser to oversee stock management, product availability, demand forecasting, and commercial trading within a dynamic, multi-brand clothing enterprise. This pivotal role demands analysis-driven decisions on purchasing, stock replenishment, new product introductions, and markdown activities.

Location and Work Arrangement

UK-based applicants should reside within roughly 40 miles of Preston, including Bolton, Blackburn, Chorley, Wigan, and neighboring regions. The role requires attendance at the Preston office a few days each week. Candidates located internationally in Indonesia, Malaysia, or surrounding areas may be eligible for a fully remote position.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and monitor stock across multiple brands, categories, styles, and SKUs.
• Forecast product demand to maintain inventory of core and top-selling items.
• Organize new product releases, including detailed line plans, quantities, size/color mixes, and rollout schedules.
• Evaluate sales velocity, stock coverage, returns, and profit margins to guide purchasing choices.
• Control open-to-buy budgets and balance inventory availability against excess stock and markdown exposure.
• Identify fast-moving items for prompt reorder and slow-selling products for discount or phase-out strategies.
• Collaborate closely with buying, marketing, and operations teams to support product launches and promotions.
• Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure on-time deliveries.
• Develop and maintain Weekly Sales, Stock and Inventory (WSSI) plans, trend reports, and stock availability dashboards.
• Ensure accurate product and inventory data within internal management systems.
• Deliver weekly updates on trading performance and stock status to cross-functional teams.

Candidate Requirements

• Demonstrated experience as a Merchandiser or Fashion Merchandiser in the clothing or fashion sector.
• Preferably experienced in ecommerce, direct-to-consumer, or large-volume fashion markets.
• Strong knowledge of stock planning, demand forecasting, replenishment, and product trading principles.
• Advanced skills in Excel/Google Sheets, including mastery of Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP for analysis.
• Good commercial acumen relating to sales trends, stock availability, profit margins, and markdown policies.
• Proven ability managing extensive SKUs within varied product categories.
• Highly organized, analytical mindset with keen attention to detail.
• Capability to perform effectively under multiple deadlines in a rapid environment.
• Excellent English communication skills, especially important for remote candidates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Shopify or other ecommerce platforms.
• Experience with WSSI and Open-to-Buy budgeting methods.
• Background in demand forecasting and range planning.
• Previous work with international suppliers and factories.
• Knowledge of ERP, inventory management, or BI/reporting tools.

Compensation and Additional Details

For UK-based positions, remuneration ranges between £25,000 and £35,000 annually, depending on experience. International roles offer £15,000 to £25,000 equivalent, based on candidate expertise.