Merchandiser (Hiring Immediately)

We are Disturbia; a fast-growing, independent UK fashion brand specialising in alternative and sub-culture fashion, with an aim to harness the spirit of authenticity and individuality.

Our story is about evolving and disrupting the ordinary. Founded in 2003 by creative graduates Frank and Helen, we look to disturb the suburbs with authentically unconventional attire for those drawn to the strange and unusual. Disturbia has since amassed a devoted following worldwide, attracting musicians, artists and free spirits alike.

Over 20 years later, we are an ever-growing team across offices in Northumberland (HQ) and East London. Our in-house team of creatives, do-ers, dreamers and makers work collaboratively to create unique products and deliver an exceptional customer experience for those who dare to stand out from the crowd.

THE ROLE

As Disturbia continues to grow, we are looking for a Merchandiser to take commercial ownership of an assigned category portfolio across our global online business.

You will be accountable for delivering agreed sales, margin and stock targets, translating business objectives into category strategies, financial plans and decisive trading actions. Balancing growth with stock investment and profitability, you will lead planning and in-season trading for your areas, making decisions within agreed budgets and approval limits and escalating material risks with clear recommendations.

Working closely with Buying, Design, Ecom, Marketing, Finance and Operations, you will shape the range and stock strategy across our online trading markets and global distribution centres. This is a hands-on role leveraging reporting systems, automation and AI support for initial analysis, allowing you to focus on commercial judgement, actions and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Own category performance against sales, margin, full-price sell-through, stock turn and terminal stock targets. Bring fresh commercial ideas to drive growth and profitability, with clear actions to address risks and underperformance.
• Build category strategy and seasonal and annual plans with Buying, combining lessons learnt, customer demand and future opportunities. Set sales, intake margin, achieved margin, stock, intake and markdown budgets aligned to business objectives.
• Own the category WSSI and open-to-buy, preserving flexibility to respond to demand. Reforecast sales, returns, margin, stock and intake, submit monthly forecasts and agree recovery plans. Control commitments within budget and assess cash and profit implications.
• Lead weekly category trading reviews, using product and regional insight to prioritise repeats, cancellations, intake, pricing, markdowns and promotions. Work with Buying to improve speed to market on winners; agree actions and track their commercial outcome.
• Own merchandising input into monthly, quarterly and seasonal reviews with Buying and Design. Covering trade performance and any impact on future planned options, depth, size and price profiles, balancing newness, continuity and end use by market.
• Set stock investment and availability plans by market and distribution centre, reflecting regional demand, seasonality, capacity and lead times. Optimise stock placement and transfers to improve availability, full-price sell-through and productivity.

RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUED

• Manage intake performance and phasing by week, category and region. Own stock health protecting availability on best sellers, managing aged inventory and generating exit plans for underperforming stock, suggesting markdown and promotional plans around trade calendar.
• Partner with Ecom and Marketing on launch, promotional and trading priorities, ensuring activity is supported by appropriate stock and assessing its impact on sales, margin and returns.
• Prioritise and deliver practical improvements to forecasting, reporting and merchandising processes with relevant teams. Define system requirements, reduce manual work and strengthen data accuracy, balancing improvement projects with day-to-day trading priorities.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven experience as a Merchandiser, or an experienced Junior Merchandiser ready to step up, with evidence of independently managing a category or significant trading area in fashion. Strong end-to-end merchandising knowledge in a DTC or ecommerce business.
• Strong commercial judgement, with a track record of translating analysis into decisions that improve sales, margin and stock performance, and taking ownership of the results.
• Confident building and managing budgets, WSSIs, open-to-buy, range plans and forecasts, with a sound understanding of stock investment, markdowns, returns and profitability.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence using merchandising and reporting systems. Practical ability to use AI and automation to improve productivity, validate analysis and generate actionable insight; Power BI experience is advantageous.
• A confident communicator and influencer, able to challenge constructively, present clear recommendations and build effective relationships across teams and with senior stakeholders.
• A strong affinity for product and understanding of regional customer behaviour, including UK, EU and US markets. Self-directed, organised and adaptable, with the initiative to manage a hands-on workload in a lean team, challenge existing approaches and remain calm under pressure.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, subject to skills and experience
• Annual leave allowance starting at 23 days, not including bank holidays increasing up to 27 days with length of service.
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• A company social fund where we put a portion of money away each month to put towards team and company social activities
• 2 company wide events each year
• Retailer discounts, sample sale and access to a Byond card
• Cycle to work scheme
• Flexible working hours to fit around you