Head of Range Planning & Merchandising
2 days ago
London
Location | Working between Theale HQ and London Boutique/Showroom Reporting to | Managing Director Direct Reports | Design Team, Production Team Department | Product, Merchandising & Production About Really Wild Clothing We are a British luxury heritage brand rooted in craftsmanship, timeless style, and the connection between country and city living. The brand combines refined tailoring, heritage fabrics, and contemporary femininity to create collections that celebrate British elegance, quality, and authenticity. As the company enters its next phase of growth and international brand elevation, we are seeking an exceptional Head of Range Planning & Merchandising to lead the strategic and operational management of the collection lifecycle across design, merchandising, sourcing, production, and delivery. Role Overview The Head of Range Planning & Merchandising will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end planning, development, merchandising, production, and delivery of all Really Wild collections. This individual will act as the operational and commercial bridge between creative vision, product development, production execution, sales performance, inventory management, and financial objectives. The role requires a highly strategic, commercially minded, operationally rigorous, and detail-oriented luxury fashion professional with strong experience in merchandising, collection architecture, production planning, and team leadership. Key Responsibilites Collection & Range Planning Strategy • Lead the overall collection architecture and seasonal range strategy across Country, Hybrid, City, Outerwear, Knitwear, Tailoring, Dresses, Occasion-wear, and Accessories., • Build commercially balanced ranges aligned with brand positioning, margin targets, sales forecasts, customer demand, wholesale opportunities, e-commerce performance, and retail needs., • Define SKU count targets, category mix, colour architecture, fabric strategy, price architecture, and depth by style., • Analyse historical sales performance and customer behaviour to optimise future collection planning., • Ensure collections remain cohesive, elevated, timeless, and commercially viable. Merchandising & Commerical Management • Own the merchandising calendar and seasonal critical path., • Develop detailed buy and assortment plans across retail, e-commerce, wholesale, pop-ups, and international expansion., • Monitor sell-through, margins, stock turn, category performance, and size curves., • Work closely with Finance and Sales to forecast revenue, inventory requirements, and cash flow implications., • Ensure strong inventory discipline and minimise overstock risk. Design Team Leadership • Lead and manage the Design Team to ensure creative excellence and timely execution., • Ensure all collections align with brand DNA, seasonal storytelling, commercial objectives, and margin requirements., • Oversee collection reviews, design signoffs, fabric approvals, fittings, and final style edits., • Create structure and discipline around seasonal deadlines and sampling timelines., • Drive collaboration between design, merchandising, and production teams. Production & Supply Chain Oversight • Oversee the Production Team and all supplier/manufacturer relationships., • Manage production planning from sampling through final delivery., • Monitor costings, margins, delivery schedules, and quality standards., • Improve operational systems, reporting, and workflow efficiencies., • Maintain supplier relationships aligned with sustainability and ethical standards. Critical Path & Operational Excellence • Build and maintain rigorous seasonal critical paths across all departments., • Lead weekly cross-functional meetings to track progress and drive accountability., • Establish clear reporting systems and KPIs., • Implement best-in-class operational discipline and process management. Strategic Business Contribution • Contribute to the long-term strategic growth of the business., • Support international growth, wholesale expansion, product diversification, and operational scalability., • Provide insights and recommendations to senior leadership., • Participate in budgeting and seasonal financial planning. Key Performance Indicators • On-time collection delivery, • Margin achievement, • Stock turn improvement, • Reduction in production delays, • Improved sell-through rates, • Inventory optimization, • Team performance and accountability Candidate Profile • 10+ years’ experience in luxury fashion merchandising, range planning, buying, or production leadership., • Strong womenswear luxury or premium heritage fashion experience., • Proven track record managing both creative and operational teams., • Deep understanding of collection architecture, merchandising strategy, production timelines, inventory management, and margin planning., • Exceptional organisational and leadership skills., • Entrepreneurial mindset with a hands-on approach. Personal Attributes • Highly disciplined and structured, • Commercially intelligent, • Creative yet analytical, • Detail-oriented, • Solutions-driven, • Collaborative, • Resilient and calm under pressure This is a unique opportunity to play a transformative leadership role within an evolving British luxury heritage brand during an exciting growth phase.