# Head of Commercial 12 Month FTC

**Company:** [Debenhams Group](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/3g2Z6GXUG1SEg12MJ2mNkg.md)
**Location:** London, United Kingdom
**Workplace:** on site
**Employment type:** Contract
**Department:** Merchandising

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/d3ab2824-1df0-4d1b-abc3-38d4cd9dd413)

## Description

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

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