Job 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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