Head of Own Brand

Job content

Established in 1952 and online since 1999, Childrensalon is a fast-growing, award-winning, forward-thinking retailer, specialising in dressing children beautifully.

Childrensalon believes there is beauty in diversity and difference, as resembled by our wonderful team. Our vision of being the most inclusive, diverse, and humane company is very important to us as is our culture of fairness, openness, and transparency. We are committed to the career progression and advancement of every team member as well as welcoming the best external talent in the industry. We offer a fun, challenging, collaborative, family-oriented work environment in our fast-paced and rapidly growing business and in turn will provide you with the opportunity to grow your career and make a difference.

Under the direction of the Merchandising Director, the Head of Own Brand is responsible for overseeing the creation, planning, developing, sourcing, manufacturing, sales and product lifecycle of all Own Brand collections whilst also looking for growth opportunities. You will have a balance of creative and commercial understanding, be highly organised and be able to communicate well at all levels. You will be experienced in spearheading the successful launch of a brand with a true entrepreneurial spirit.

Responsibilities:

• Set and manage department strategy to deliver company objectives.
• Develop collections and products that appeal to our customer base and is on-brand with Childrensalon values whilst also delivering commercially. This involves a deep creative understanding as well as proven commercial acumen.
• Responsible for department budgets and achieved margin.
• Manage the team to ensure critical path deadlines are met.
• Develop and manage workflows within the Own Brand team and the wider Childrensalon team.
• Work with other teams to ensure Own Brand product exposure.
• Develop the Own Brand team ensuring relevant training and succession planning.
• Able to influence at all levels, being an advocate for the Own Brand team across the business.
• Manage product life cycle from concept, through to design, production, delivery, sales and discontinuation.
• Work with our Systems team to design and maintain a future fit Own Brand back-office system.
• Work with Marketing to develop and implement localised marketing plans.
• Work with Creative team to develop and evolve the brand identity of our Own Brand collections, always maintaining Childrensalon values.

Skills:

• Proven track record of bringing commercially successful ranges to market.
• Keen eye for product and ability to spot development opportunities.
• Numerically literate with a proven track record of delivering sales and margin plans.
• Experience in leading a cross functional team.
• Expertise in critical path management.
• Experience in managing stock budgets.
• Childrenswear experience or being able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the market, with particular reference to online.

This role is based at our Head Office in Tunbridge Wells, however, due to the current Coronavirus pandemic will require flexibility and some working from home. Childrensalon offers a highly competitive salary, company pension plan, health plan, fully subsidised gym membership, in-house yoga classes, company shuttle, generous holiday allowance and company discount.

If you are interested and think you would thrive in this role, please apply to careers@childrensalon.com with your CV and covering letter about why you would like to work for us. Previous applicants need not apply.