Trading Manager - Off-Price (MAT Cover)

Purpose of the role:
As the Off-Price Trading Manager, you will hold full accountability for trading, inventory planning, and end-to-end account management across major international key accounts, including TK Maxx, Zalando, M&M and other off-price partners. You and your team will be responsible for stock procurement, in-season trading, sales invoicing, freight/logistics coordination directly with shipping lines, and maximising stock margin and turnaround.

Strategy:

• Multi-Channel & Account Strategy: Execute the multi-channel trading strategy across key off-price accounts, establishing long-term commercial roadmaps to grow total account value while protecting core brand positioning.
• ​Margin & Commercial Optimisation: Drive gross margin expansion and bottom-line profitability through dynamic price modelling, volume-tier deal structuring, and strategic negotiation on stock packages.
• ​Stock Architecture & Portfolio Lifecycle: Lead the end-to-end stock exit strategy, defining targeted clearance targets, stock intake windows, and managing inventory to maintain lean stock holdings and minimise aged inventory.
• ​Commercial Forecasting & Financial Planning: Direct the seasonal sales, stock, and intake (WSSI) strategy, establishing accurate commercial forecasts for senior management and aligning inventory commitments.
• ​Cross-Channel Inventory Alignment: Partner with main-line, retail and Ecom trading teams to create a seamless inventory cycle, ensuring timely transition of overstock into off-price channels without cannibalising primary trading channels.

People:

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Lead, direct, and collaborate with internal teams (Sales, Logistics, Buying, Finance and Warehouse team) to execute key account commitments smoothly.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Act as the main operational point of contact for the off-price division, maintaining clear alignment between internal stakeholders and external account teams.
• Mentorship & Support: Support junior team members and operational staff with best practices in merchandising, shipping, invoicing, and account administration.

Trade and planning:

• In-Season Trading: Monitor weekly sales, intake, and inventory performance; reforecast dynamically to exploit high-performing lines and trade stock across seasons.
• Buying & Procurement: Identify in season stock buys and allocate inventory specifically targeted for off-price accounts based on historical sales trends, forecasts, and buyer requirements.
• Invoicing & Financial Compliance: Support finance with customer invoices for off-price key accounts, providing correct pricing, payment terms, discounts, and currency conversions.
• Shipping & Logistics Coordination: Work directly with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics partners to schedule, track, and manage stock dispatches and incoming shipments.

Additional responsibility:

• Customs & Documentation: Ensure the team provide all necessary import/export documentation, customs paperwork, and commercial invoices that are compliant and processed without delay.
• Discrepancy Resolution: Partner with Finance and logistics teams to resolve invoice queries, shipping delays, price discrepancies, or vendor chargebacks promptly.
• Ad-hoc Projects: Support senior management with continuous improvement initiatives across merchandising, stock control, and logistics processes.

Communications & Working Relationships:

• External Partners: Key account buyers and merchandise planners (TK Maxx, Zalando, etc.), shipping lines, freight forwarders, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and customs brokers.
• Internal Teams: Head of Merchandising, Sales Team, Finance & Accounts Receivable, Warehouse & Logistics, and Supply Chain teams.

Desirable Knowledge & Skills:

• Deep understanding of wholesale, off-price, and retail merchandising principles (WSSI management, open-to-buy, margin management).
• Hands-on expertise in end-to-end shipping procedures, freight management, and working directly with shipping lines/logistics carriers.
• Strong grasp of invoicing, commercial financial documentation, and international delivery terms (Incoterms).
• Exceptional numerical, analytical, and negotiation capabilities.
• Computer literate
• Advanced Excel: Highly proficient in VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables and data manipulation
• Product Order Systems

Qualifications & experience:

• Experience: Proven track record as a Merchandiser or Senior Assistant Merchandiser in retail, wholesale, or off-price sectors.
• Account Background: Demonstrated success managing major key accounts (direct experience with TK Maxx or Zalando is highly desirable).
• Education: Degree in Merchandising, Business, Fashion Management, Supply Chain, or equivalent professional experience.