Digital Tonic are working with an established clothing brand based in Cheltenham that has built a strong reputation for considered design, craft and long term product thinking. As the business continues to grow, they are looking to appoint a Head of Merchandising to sit at the heart of commercial planning and range strategy. We can consider this position on a full time or part time basis for the right candidate.
This is a leadership role focused on clarity, balance and commercial strength across the product portfolio. You will shape the long term merchandising strategy, partnering closely with Creative, Product, Marketing, Operations and Finance to ensure brand direction and commercial performance remain aligned. While the merchandising team manages day to day execution, you will set direction, priorities and decision making frameworks.
You will own the Open to Buy process and intake planning, using trading data and customer insight to guide range architecture, manage risk and protect margin. You will lead the weekly trade rhythm, ensuring WSSI is accurate and actionable, and that decisions are translated into clear next steps. The role also involves setting markdown guardrails, managing depth versus breadth across the range, and ensuring stock health remains disciplined as the business scales.
The brand operates a consistent launch cadence rather than rigid seasonal drops, with a mix of repeat core lines and new product introductions. This requires thoughtful forecasting, strong financial control and close collaboration across departments to maintain availability on winners while reducing aged stock risk.
This role can be structured either full time or part time for the right individual. There is a preference for someone based in or near Cheltenham, working closely with the studio teams, though hybrid working can be considered.
Skills and Experience
- Experience leading merchandising strategy within a clothing or lifestyle product brand
- Full ownership of Open to Buy and WSSI, with strong forecasting capability
- Proven ability to improve stock turn, protect margin and increase full price mix
- Experience balancing repeat core product with controlled newness
- Confident working alongside founders or creative leads while maintaining commercial discipline
- Ability to lead and elevate a merchandising function rather than simply execute reporting
- Strong cross functional collaboration across finance, marketing, operations and product
- Calm, structured and commercially decisive approach
Benefits
This is an opportunity to take ownership of the commercial engine within a growing clothing brand where decisions are made collaboratively and at pace. You’ll have real influence over how the range evolves and how trading discipline develops, working closely with senior stakeholders across the business. The salary is up to £70,000 depending on experience, with flexibility to structure the role on a full time or part time basis. The team works on a hybrid basis, with studio collaboration valued.
Sound Good?
If you’re a commercially driven merchandising leader who enjoys shaping range architecture, building disciplined trading rhythms and partnering closely with creative teams, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch with Ewan for an initial chat.