Merchandising Director

INTRODUCTION

Born from innovation, Burberry is a global luxury brand with a rich British heritage.

Founded in 1856, our brand is underpinned by our founder’s passion for the outdoors. Thomas Burberry invented the innovative rain-ready fabric gabardine to protect explorers from the elements. In doing so, he created the foundation for the iconic Burberry trench coat, which remains core to the business even today.

Guided by our history of exploration and our shared belief that ‘creativity open spaces’, our purpose is to unlock the power of imagination to push boundaries and open new possibilities for our people, our customers and our communities.

As a values-driven brand, we are committed to creating the next generation of sustainable luxury and believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to fulfilling our purpose. Fostering an inclusive culture where differences are valued and embraced enables us to be more creative, engaged and make a more meaningful contribution to the world around us.

JOB PURPOSE

The Retail Merchandising and Planning Director will lead the strategic direction for merchandising, merchandise planning and inventory management within the luxury fashion sector. This role requires a deep understanding of the luxury market, consumer behavior, and regional trends, combined with strong analytical and leadership skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities:

- Accountable and line management responsibility for Retail Merchandising and Merchandise Planning in the region.
- Develop and execute the Retail Merchandising and Merchandise Planning strategy aligned with the overall brand vision and objectives
- Analyze market trends and consumer insights to inform product assortment and pricing strategies.
- Ensure global assortment is adapted to local market.

Inventory Management:

- Oversee inventory planning and allocation, ensuring optimal stock levels to maximize sales and minimize markdowns.
- Implement effective forecasting techniques to anticipate market demand and adjust strategies accordingly.

Leadership:

- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing merchandising and planning team aligned with Burberry’s Values (Creatively Driven, Open and Caring, Proud of our Heritage & Forward Thinking).
- Foster a collaborative environment, encouraging innovative ideas and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

- Work closely with other regional leadership team include Retail, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, Client Engagement; and the leaders of the Global Retail Merchandising, Collection Merchandising and Planning & Inventory teams.

Performance Analysis:

- Monitor sales performance and analyze key metrics to identify opportunities for growth and areas
- of concern.
- Prepare regular reports for senior management, providing insights and recommendations based on data analysis.

Luxury Market Expertise:

- Maintain a strong understanding of luxury fashion trends, competitive landscape, and customer
- preferences in the region.Attend regional buy, and market visits to stay ahead of industry developments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Fashion Merchandising, or a related field.
- 15+ years of experience in merchandising and planning, with a focus on luxury fashion, and include a minimum of 5 years in managing a Retail Merchandising and/or with Merchandise Planning team.
- Proven track record of strategic planning and inventory management.Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and market trends.Excellent leadership and team management skills.

Our Purpose and Values

At Burberry we believe that how we live our values and contribute to our culture is equally as important to

what we achieve. Our four values (Creatively Driven, Open and Caring, Proud of our Heritage & Forward

Thinking) encapsulate the culture we foster and describe who we are at our best.

Is it our expectation that all colleagues, regardless of function, geography or level, embrace and role

model our values. Burberry leader pride themselves in
- Inspiring passion and role modelling creative thinking
- Investing time and taking accountability to attract, develop and retain talent
- Fostering an inclusive culture where all colleagues can thrive
- Creating space for innovation, challenging status quo, making bold choices for the future
- Acting in the best interest of our brand, the environment and our communitiesIntroduction: