Senior Merchandiser FTC
THE ROLE
At Debenhams Group, we are on a journey of transformation, revitalising our brand, culture, and connection with colleagues and customers alike. In a fast-changing retail environment, effective and authentic communication is vital to building trust, aligning our teams, and amplifying the impact of our work across internal and external audiences.
We are looking to hire an experienced Senior Merchandiser to join our Merchandising team. This is a chance to take ownership of a high-profile department within a fast-moving, retail business. You’ll have real influence over product strategy, trading decisions and commercial performance, while working closely with the Buying team as well as our Suppliers & Brand Partners. The role offers strong visibility, leadership responsibility and the opportunity to develop talent, drive innovation and make a measurable impact on business growth.
This role will be a 12-month fixed term contract, based out of our central Manchester office.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
As a Senior Merchandiser, you’ll be right at the heart of our business - using data, insight, and commercial instinct to drive sales, maximise profitability, and keep our product game strong. You’ll be a key partner to our Head of Merchandising and Buying teams, ensuring we’ve got the right product, in the right place, at the right time.
Key Responsibilities
Financial
- Own and drive the commercial performance and profitability across designated product areas, using data and insight to inform strategy and trading decisions.
- Lead the development of category budgets, option plans and depth of buy aligned to overall business and financial objectives.
- Take accountability for WSSI management, ensuring stock levels are optimised through proactive analysis of sales, intake and future demand.
- Review, challenge and reforecast sales and stock positions in line with performance, identifying risks and opportunities.
- Provide strategic analysis of best and worst sellers, driving clear actions to maximise opportunities and mitigate risk.
- Lead and recommend promotional activity, markdown strategy and re-buys to support trading performance.
- Take ownership of buying margin and gross profit delivery, ensuring targets are met and protected.
- Drive full potential performance of key and bestselling products through effective stock and trading strategies.
- Partner closely with the Head of Merchandising and Buying teams, providing clear, commercially focused insight to support strategic decision making.
Processes and Department Development
- Champion best practice across merchandising and trading, identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working.
- Work in partnership with the Head of Merchandising to shape and deliver department strategy, translating long-term objectives into actionable plans.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance trading performance, efficiency and team capability.
- Lead, coach and develop the merchandising team, driving high performance, strong commercial thinking and career progression.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships across Buying and Merchandising, ensuring decisions are driven by clear and accurate data.
- Act as a key link between Merchandising and wider business functions including Studio, VM, Supply Chain and Finance to ensure aligned delivery of business goals.
- Present trading performance, risks and opportunities to senior stakeholders, delivering clear and confident recommendations.
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
- Significant experience within Merchandising, across branded and own brand.
- Strong strategic and operational understanding of WSSI, forecasting and trading frameworks.
- Advanced Excel and analytical capability, with strong commercial and numerical acumen.
- Confident decision maker with the ability to balance data, trend and customer insight.
- Strong commercial awareness with a passion for retail.
- Highly organised, detail focused and able to lead effectively within a fast-paced trading environment.
WORKING WITH US
At Debenhams Group we thrive on change, innovation, and pace. Every challenge is an opportunity, and every day is a chance to push boundaries. If you’re someone who embraces the unknown, thrives in a fast-moving, high-growth environment, and is ready to shape the future of retail, you’ll love it here. We want visionaries, disruptors, and doers—people who bring fresh thinking, relentless energy, and the drive to make an impact.
WHY JOIN US
Our mission is to create a workplace where everyone is respected, individual differences are valued, and people can be themselves at work — without exception.
2025 was a year of significant change for the Group. 2026 is about bold moves, real results and unstoppable momentum. If that excites you, you belong at Debenhams Group.
Our benefits include (subject to level and eligibility):
· Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover and life assurance
· Access to an on-site gym and free weekly Pilates, yoga and fitness classes
· 20% discount across all brands
· Comprehensive wellbeing package
· Dog-friendly offices (in selected locations)
· Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression
· On-site canteen serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and hot drinks
· Free season ticket loan
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