At Debenhams Group, we are continuing our transformation, evolving our brands, products, and global reach at pace. As part of this journey, Karen Millen plays a key role within our premium portfolio, known for elevated design, quality craftsmanship and a confident, modern aesthetic.
We are looking for an experienced Head of Commercial to join us on a 12-month fixed-term contract. This is a business-critical role, responsible for strengthening our commercial planning capability, driving performance, and ensuring we have the structure, processes and governance in place to support continued multi-channel growth.
THE ROLE
Sitting at the centre of the business, this role will act as the commercial engine, owning end-to-end planning, trading performance and cross-functional alignment. You will be responsible for embedding a robust, data-led commercial framework, ensuring clear ownership of sales, stock and margin, while driving performance across a complex, multi-channel landscape.
This role will bring structure, pace and clarity to how we plan, trade, and deliver product, enabling scalable growth and improved profitability.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Commercial Planning & Performance
- Own and evolve the WSSI and budgeting process, partnering closely with Finance to align on budget phasing and forecasts
- Drive performance across sales, margin and stock, identifying risks and opportunities and taking decisive action
- Deliver clear visibility and control across trading performance at the category and channel level
Multi-Channel Commercial Ownership
·Lead performance across a complex, multi-channel landscape, including:
- Own Buy
- 3rd Party
- Marketplace
- Licensing
- Collaborations
- Wholesale
- Retail/Concession
· Ensure consistent, optimised trading across each route to market
End-to-End Product & Trading Alignment
- Partner with Buying and Design to implement a fully integrated product planning process
- Ensure alignment between range planning, intake and trading strategy
- Identify gaps and opportunities across the product lifecycle to maximise performance
Critical Path & Delivery
- Oversee critical path management, ensuring product moves efficiently from concept through to the warehouse
- Improve speed to market and minimise delays across the supply chain
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as the key connector between Marketing, Design, Buying and Finance
- Work closely with Group Marketplace team within Debenhams Group
- Align teams on product, trading priorities and investment decisions
- Drive pace, accountability and collaboration across functions
Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead and develop a high-performing commercial/merchandising function
- Introduce structure, process and best practice across ways of working
- Support the development of internal talent, including upskilling a Senior Merchandiser with a view to succession
WHAT WE LOOK FOR
- Significant experience in a senior commercial or merchandising leadership role within fashion retail or e-commerce
- A strong core merchandising background, with deep expertise in planning, trading and stock management
- Proven experience operating across multiple sales channels, including wholesale, marketplace, shop-in-shop and licensing
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to drive profitable growth and performance at scale
- Experience owning and managing WSSI, budgeting and forecasting processes
- Confident stakeholder manager, able to influence at senior level and drive cross-functional alignment
- Strong leadership capability, with experience in building and developing high-performing teams
- Data-driven, with the ability to translate insight into clear actions
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving business environment
WHY JOIN US
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial future of Karen Millen, driving performance across a global, multi-channel business within a group that is evolving at pace.
You’ll have real ownership, visibility and impact, working at the centre of decision-making and helping to build a scalable, best-in-class commercial function.
Our benefits include (subject to level and eligibility):
- Highly competitive bonus scheme, company pension, share schemes, private medical cover and life assurance
- 20% discount across all brands
- Comprehensive wellbeing package
- Ongoing learning and development with strong internal progression
- Interest-free season ticket loan
#LI-ER1 #DebenhamsGroup #Karenmillen #commercial #merchandising #multichannel #retail
