Retail Stock Controller
Location: Harlow (with regular travel to retail sites)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
A well-established and growing business is looking for a Retail Merchandiser to take ownership of stock and inventory performance across an expanding retail store network. This is a newly created role sitting at the heart of the retail operation, connecting stores, buying, commercial and marketing teams to drive availability, sales performance and stock efficiency.
The Role
You will be responsible for managing and optimising the stock profile across multiple retail locations, ensuring the right products are in the right place at the right time. Using data and insight, you will influence stock decisions that support both sales growth and operational control as the business continues to open new sites.
Key responsibilities include:
- Analysing sales and stock data to optimise store ranging and stock profiles
- Managing processes for product selection, range changes, new launches and discontinuations
- Ensuring stock profiles reflect seasonal trends, demand patterns and any location-specific requirements
- Adjusting stock holdings to support promotional activity and product launches
- Balancing sales opportunity with sensible stock values, holding levels and availability
- Providing data-led recommendations on the use of promotional and prime selling space
- Supporting and coordinating merchandising activity linked to promotions and key launches
- Working closely with store managers to review performance, availability and opportunities
- Collaborating with buying, commercial and marketing teams to align ranging and stock strategy
- Monitoring slow-moving, excess and discontinued stock and proposing actions to improve sell-through
- Developing reporting, KPIs and stock performance metrics across the retail network
- Continuously reviewing and improving stock processes, systems and controls
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience in a retail, merchandising, stock or trading environment
- Strong analytical skills with confidence working with sales and stock data
- Advanced Excel skills - forecasting, analysis and reporting
- A confident communicator who can work cross-functionally across multiple teams
- Highly organised, proactive and solutions-focused
- Comfortable in a fast-moving environment with a hands-on, flexible approach
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly to store locations
- Based within a reasonable commute of Harlow, Essex
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a business at a genuinely exciting point in its growth, playing a central role in shaping retail stock strategy across a network that is actively expanding.
This vacancy is being advertised by SRM Recruitment. To have a confidential conversation about this opportunity or your next career move, please contact Senior Consultant Lizzie Burgess at SRM Recruitment. Our Welwyn Garden City team specialises in placing permanent, temporary and contract professionals across Accountancy & Finance, Human Resources, Marketing & Creative, Office Support, and Procurement & Supply Chain.