Responsibilities

• As Brand Development Manager, you’ll be responsible for creating and delivering strategic brand plans that drive profitable and sustainable growth across key brands.
• You will work cross functionally to ensure everyone is aligned behind the brand strategy, while keeping a close eye on commercial performance, product development, stock, sales and market opportunities.
• Develop and deliver long-term brand plans, working with internal and external stakeholders to achieve key commercial objectives across turnover, gross margin and profitability, while regularly reviewing performance and adapting plans where needed.
• Work closely with Product, Buying and Merchandising teams to shape commercially relevant ranges, identify new product and sourcing opportunities, attend supplier meetings and trade shows, and ensure products continue to meet market and customer needs.
• Work alongside Sales teams across Wholesale, Direct Fulfilment and B2C to develop and execute sales strategies, maximising distribution and profitability. Support Area Sales Managers at customer meetings, range reviews and commercial presentations.
• Act as a key point of contact between Gardiners, brand owners and retailers to ensure opportunities are identified and executed effectively.
• Oversee the performance of Buyers and Merchandisers across your brand portfolio, using forecasting, stock, pricing and sell-through data to identify opportunities, manage stock effectively and improve overall brand performance.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the market, competitors and each brand’s positioning, identifying future opportunities and ensuring our brands remain relevant, competitive and commercially successful.
• Work closely with Marketing and external brand partners to agree and manage budgets and deliver seasonal launches, PR, social media, promotions and other activity that supports both short and long-term brand objectives.
• Lead collaboration across Buying, Merchandising, Product, Sales, Marketing, Ecommerce, Warehouse and Customer Service, ensuring everyone is aligned behind brand plans, while managing and developing your team and communicating performance and priorities through regular reporting and presentations.

Requirements

• We’re looking for someone with previous experience in brand management, buying, merchandising or a similar commercial product-led role, who understands how to take a brand from strategy through to product, sales and distribution.
• You’ll be confident working across key brands and categories, managing budgets, influencing stakeholders and making commercially informed decisions.
• Commercially driven, with a strong understanding of brand and category performance
• Confident managing multiple brands, projects and priorities
• Experienced in building strong relationships and influencing internal and external stakeholders
• A strong communicator and presenter, comfortable working with people at all levels
• Organised, analytical and confident using data to inform decisions
• Able to identify and convert commercial opportunities into profitable growth
• Comfortable managing and developing a team
• Familiar with Wholesale, Direct Fulfilment and B2C channels

Preferred

• Ideally experienced within footwear, apparel or another product-led industry

Benefits

• 25 Days annual leave entitlement
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous staff discounts on all brands we supply
• Life Assurance & Company Pension
• Local Gym Membership Discount
• Free Mortgage advice & £0 Broker Fee
• Eyecare Vouchers