About Sports Logistics
Sports Logistics provides specialist retail, merchandising and operational solutions across the sports industry. We work with partners, suppliers and stakeholders to deliver outstanding products and experiences for sports organisations and their supporters.
We are looking for an experienced and commercially focused Senior Merchandiser / Commercial Manager to help drive profitable growth across our merchandise operation.
Role Overview
The Senior Merchandiser / Commercial Manager will be responsible for merchandise planning, commercial trading, strategic sourcing, supplier management and inventory optimisation.
This role combines strong merchandising expertise with procurement and commercial management to ensure Sports Logistics delivers the right products, at the right price, in the right quantities and at the right time.
Working closely with Product, Ecommerce, Marketing, Operations, Planning, Customer Experience and external suppliers, you will maximise sales performance, maintain healthy stock levels, protect margins and support the successful delivery of product launches and promotional campaigns.
Key Responsibilities
Merchandising and Commercial Trading
· Produce and present weekly trading reports, providing clear insights and actionable recommendations to key stakeholders.
· Manage and maintain the WSSI, monitoring open-to-buy, sales performance, stock risks and commercial opportunities.
· Determine buy quantities by season, category and supplier in line with sales forecasts and inventory objectives.
· Monitor best- and worst-selling products, identifying opportunities for rebuys, rephasing, cancellations and markdowns.
· Analyse historical performance and current trading data to shape seasonal strategies and assortment plans.
· Support new product launches and promotional campaigns, ensuring stock availability aligns with agreed launch dates.
· Recommend pricing, markdown and promotional strategies that optimise sales, margin and stock productivity.
Procurement and Supplier Management
· Develop and implement sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, availability and delivery performance.
· Lead supplier negotiations covering pricing, contracts, service levels and longer-term commercial agreements.
· Build productive supplier relationships and maintain high standards of service, quality and compliance.
· Resolve supplier issues relating to product quality, delivery, pricing, availability or contractual obligations.
· Work collaboratively with suppliers to identify cost savings, efficiencies and opportunities for commercial growth.
· Monitor supplier performance and take appropriate action where agreed standards are not achieved.
Commercial and Financial Management
· Monitor and optimise intake margins across product categories, ensuring performance remains aligned with financial targets.
· Identify commercial risks and opportunities and recommend appropriate action to maximise profitability.
· Conduct ad hoc commercial analysis to support strategic decision-making and business planning.
· Provide commercial insight to inform pricing, product assortment, sourcing and promotional decisions.
· Balance sales growth, margin performance and inventory investment across the merchandise range.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
· Work closely with Product, Ecommerce, Marketing, Operations, Planning and Customer Experience teams.
· Coordinate with planning and operational teams on stock availability, sell-through, pricing and in-season trading activity.
· Support the effective delivery of product launches, seasonal ranges and promotional campaigns.
· Develop strong stakeholder relationships and communicate confidently across all levels of the business.
· Manage multiple projects and priorities, ensuring deadlines and commercial objectives are achieved.
Skills and Experience
· Proven experience in merchandising, buying, procurement, sourcing or a related commercial role within retail, ecommerce or the sports merchandise industry.
· Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify risks, opportunities and practical solutions.
· Demonstrable experience of merchandise planning, stock management and in-season trading.
· Strong negotiation, supplier relationship and contract management skills.
· Advanced analytical ability, with a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
· Experience managing a WSSI and open-to-buy process is highly desirable.
· Ability to interpret complex data and translate findings into clear commercial recommendations.
· Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills.
· Strong organisational and time-management capabilities, with exceptional attention to detail.
· Ability to remain effective under pressure in a fast-moving and deadline-driven environment.
· A proactive, self-motivated approach, with the confidence to take ownership and make informed decisions.
· A collaborative working style and the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
What We Are Looking For
You will be commercially astute, analytical and highly organised, with a genuine interest in retail and sports merchandise. You will be comfortable moving between detailed trading analysis and broader strategic decision-making, while building strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers and partners.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced merchandising professional to take ownership of a commercially important function and contribute directly to the continued growth of Sports Logistics.
Safeguarding
Sports Logistics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Where appropriate to the position or client environment, employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Sports Logistics is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace in which everyone is respected and able to succeed.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or civil-partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, or any other protected characteristic.
Pay: £40,000.00-£90,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- On-site parking
Experience:
- Merchandising: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- Thirsk YO7 1QY (preferred)
Work Location: In person
