Merchandising Director

Licensed sponsor Edinburgh Full-time Posted 8 hours ago

About us

Strathberry is one of the most exciting contemporary luxury brands to emerge from the UK in the past decade. Founded in Edinburgh and handcrafted by skilled artisans in the renowned leather workshops of Spain, the brand is defined by its minimalist design language, refined craftsmanship and its signature bar hardware. Loved by global tastemakers, celebrities and royalty, Strathberry has cultivated a fast-growing international community drawn to modern elegance, timeless design and exceptional quality.

Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a strong pace of growth, the brand has built a significant direct-to-consumer business and is stocked in leading global retailers including Selfridges, Liberty, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. The retail footprint continues to expand with flagship stores in London and Edinburgh, supported by a new in-house atelier that brings craft, sampling and repair together in one creative space. This investment in infrastructure, talent and product innovation positions Strathberry for its next chapter of global scale.

Joining Strathberry means becoming part of a dynamic, ambitious and design-led business at a pivotal moment in its evolution. This is an opportunity to contribute to a brand with a clear identity, strong momentum and a bold ambition to reimagine contemporary luxury on an international stage.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Merchandising Director will join the Strathberry team, playing a key role in owning the commercial performance of Strathberry's product range: what we buy, how much, at what price, where it sits and how it sells through. The role turns the brand's creative direction into a profitable, well-balanced range and inventory position across all channels and markets.

Please note: This is a full time, permanent position based in Edinburgh or London. We are currently operating a hybrid working approach with a minimum of 3 fixed days required each week working from our beautiful Townhouse in Edinburgh City Centre or London City Centre office.

To apply please submit your CV and combined covering letter, outlining your relevant skills and experience and interest in this position by 8th November 2026. Please note that CVs submitted without a covering letter will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

Collection merchandising and range planning

Lead range strategy and architecture with Design: category mix, price ladder, core vs seasonal vs newness, colourways and option counts by channel and market.
Build and present seasonal range plans and line sheets, using sales history, trend and competitor insight to set option and depth decisions.
Manage the product lifecycle: carryover, re-colour, refresh and exit decisions for continuity styles; rationalise the tail.
Own the critical path for range sign-off so that commitments align with Spanish production lead times.

Inventory planning and open-to-buy

Own the merchandise financial plan (sales, margin, stock, intake) by season, channel, market and category, agreed with the CFO.
Set and manage open-to-buy, balancing availability against working capital and aged-stock risk.
Build demand forecasts for core and seasonal lines and convert them into buy quantities, phasing and reorder plans.
Manage long-lead risk: decide buy depth, chase/repeat strategy and the use of raw-material or component commitments ahead of confirmed demand.

Pricing

Own pricing strategy and governance across markets (UK, US, EU and other territories), including currency conversion, duties and local positioning.
Set and maintain initial margin targets by category; review landed cost (CMT, materials, freight, duty) with Finance and Production.
Benchmark pricing against relevant competitors and recommend price changes.

Stock management and allocation

Determine the stock split between UK and US 3PLs, and across ecommerce, retail, wholesale and marketplaces, to maximise full-price sales and minimise inter-region transfers.
Manage allocation and replenishment to channels and stores, including new store openings.
Monitor stock cover, availability and size/colour balance; act on overstocks and stock-outs.
Work with Operations and the 3PLs on inbound planning, stock accuracy and reconciliation, with Finance on provisioning and aged stock.

Sell-through, markdown and discount management

Track sell-through weekly at style/colour/market level and take in-season action: re-allocation, repeat buys, promotional support.
Own the promotional and markdown calendar and budget, including sale events, outlet, private sale and stock clearance routes.
Set and enforce discount governance: depth, frequency, eligible lines, codes and approvals, protecting brand positioning and full-price sell-through.
Report on promotional effectiveness and margin cost, and plan aged-stock exit routes.

Reporting, insight and leadership

Run the weekly trading review and provide trading, stock and margin reporting to the CFO and leadership team; contribute to board reporting.
Own merchandise planning systems and data; drive improvements to forecasting, planning and allocation tools.
Build, lead and develop the merchandising team.
Act as commercial partner to Design, Marketing and Ecommerce on launches, campaigns and product calendar.

What We Offer

The chance to shape and influence the growth of a truly unique luxury brand on a remarkable growth trajectory.
A dynamic, entrepreneurial, and supportive working environment.
Competitive salary and performance-related incentives.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth in a high-impact, high-visibility role.

About You

To be a star candidate for this position, you must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Essential

10+ years in merchandising and planning, with at least 3 years at Head of or Director level.
Background in premium or luxury fashion, ideally leather goods or accessories.
Multi-channel experience: DTC ecommerce and at least one of retail, wholesale or marketplaces.
International experience, including the US market, and multi-currency pricing.
Proven record of improving full-price sell-through, margin and stock turn.
Hands-on experience of long-lead, made-to-order or CMT supply chains and managing open-to-buy against them.
Advanced Excel and experience with merchandise planning, ERP and BI tools.

Desirable

Experience in a scaling, founder-led or private-equity-backed brand.
Experience setting up or improving planning systems and processes.
Experience working with multiple 3PLs and cross-border inventory.
Store opening and allocation experience.

Personal attributes

Commercially driven and numerate, with sound product instinct and respect for the brand.
Makes decisions with incomplete information and owns the outcome.
Challenges constructively across Design, Marketing and Finance; influences without relying on hierarchy.
Hands-on and detail-focused, while able to set strategy and present to the board.
Builds structure and process in a growing business.
Develops and motivates a small, high-performing team.