HEAD OF MERCHANDISE & TRADE
CULT CONTEMPORARY FASHION | NEWSTEAD
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Female-founded from the sunshine state, this fashion powerhouse has scaled into a multi-million-dollar fashion brand. Known for viral launches, distinctive trend turnarounds and a cult social following that’s heard to beat, our client has earned huge word-of-mouth loyalty from customers who love the always-fresh collections that sell out on repeat. With major industry recognition for digital growth and content innovation, it’s a modern fashion love story that will see you find your perfect brand pairing for your next resume addition.
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WARDROBE WONDER: A generous staff discount across HQ and retail. Need we say more?
MAMA MATTERS: Paid maternity leave designed to genuinely support working parents.
GIVING BACK: Additional leave days plus a work week designed to give you time back
DID SOMEONE SAY SAMPLE SALE? HQ staff sample sales at unheard of prices (consider this your new favourite payday).
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Bring 12+ years’ experience across Merchandising, Buying or Merchandise Planning
Have proven success leading multi-channel retail businesses across retail, ecommerce and wholesale
Are highly commercial with strong experience managing sales, margin and inventory performance
Have built or refined trade cadences, merchandising frameworks and scalable systems
Bring strong analytical capability and confidence interpreting performance data and market trends
Are a strategic thinker who can also operate at a hands-on level when required
Thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments and know how to navigate complexity and ambiguity
Are passionate about product, customer experience and long-term brand growth
MANAGING CONSULTANT
Cassie Crew, Recruitment Consultant
Contact:
Cassie@reliergroup.com
THE ROLE
A rare opportunity to shape the commercial future of a rapidly growing fashion brand.
As the Head of Merchandise & Trade, you will lead the long-term merchandise and trade strategy across retail, ecommerce and wholesale, driving sustainable and profitable growth through strong commercial leadership, inventory management and strategic planning.
Sitting at the intersection of product, performance and growth, this role will partner closely with Brand, Product, Marketing, Ecommerce, Supply Chain and Strategic Operations to align creative ambition with commercial outcomes. This is an opportunity for a commercially minded leader to build scalable systems, strengthen trade performance and make a meaningful impact on the future direction of the business.
Key Responsibilities:
Define and drive the long-term merchandise and trade strategy aligned to business growth objectives
Lead channel strategies across retail, ecommerce and wholesale to optimise sales, margin and profitability
Own seasonal and annual planning across sales, inventory, margin and OTB frameworks
Set category investment priorities and pricing architecture to maximise commercial performance
Drive enterprise trade cadence, reporting standards and commercial accountability across the business
Lead weekly and monthly trade reviews to identify opportunities, risks and performance trends
Partner closely with Marketing and Ecommerce teams to shape promotional strategy and key trading moments
Own inventory exposure, markdown strategy and working capital efficiency across all channels
Monitor forecast accuracy and inventory productivity to support sustainable growth
Build scalable merchandising frameworks, operating rhythms and planning systems
Partner cross-functionally with Product, Brand, Supply Chain and Operations teams to align commercial and creative priorities
Lead commercial response strategies during periods of underperformance or inventory risk
Coach, mentor and develop a high-performing merchandising team across Buying and Planning functions
Build strong accountability, capability and progression pathways within the team
Act as the senior merchandising voice across leadership discussions and strategic business decisions