John Hadfield
Broughton Astley,Leicester
Summary
A highly skilled professional with a proven ability to remain calm under pressure, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving and team-building capabilities. Adept at fostering effective communication within teams to achieve organisational goals. Committed to leveraging these skills to drive success and contribute to the growth of the company.
Takes on challenging new role harnessing interpersonal skills, collaboration and problem-solving. Driven to deliver high-quality service and consistent results.
Loyal employee with solid understanding of training and mentoring employees. Dedicated team player, proactive and hands-on in task completion.
Energetic employee well-versed in strong communication and organisation skills. Seeks solutions to problems and applies extensive analytical knowledge to findings. Adept at multi-tasking, leading group discussions and managing projects.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work history
Head of Watch Merchandising
Watches of Switzerland Group
Leicester, Leicestershire
01.2007 - 04.2025
- Company Overview: Head of Watch Merchandising for Watches of Switzerland Group encompassing all Fascia’s Goldsmiths, Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb.
- As Head of Merchandising, I am at the forefront of the Company’s development, establishing and sharing best practise throughout the business.
- I manage a team of 18 people to deliver an annual turnover in excess of £900m, driving opportunity through weekly trading meetings.
- I have the challenge of implementing an effective strategy for the planning and controlling of the ranges stocked and monitoring of purchases. Identifying and driving trading opportunities.
- I manage OTB through monthly WSSI’s meetings.
- As Head of Merchandising, I am at the forefront of the Company’s development, establishing and sharing best practise throughout the business. Over the past few years I have created delivered and implemented, pre season planning such as Grade Plans, Option Plans and Range Plans and in season forecasting tools to maximise opportunities at SKU level.
- I also oversea the project team leasing with IT to ensure any developments for Merchandising are delivered on time whilst maintaining full data integrity.
- As part of my roles I also oversea the Branch Merchandise function that delivers the business strategy around logistics for the distribution and movement of stock around the business as well as as ensuring all product and brand launches are landed fully stocked and on schedule.
- As Head of Merchandising I am required to communicate effectively across the business, influencing key stakeholders both internally and externally.
- I embrace the customer-centric process throughout the business and have the ability to manage change.
- As Head of Merchandising I have project managed the introduction of many new systems and process such as the SAP MAP planning system and a space reporting system.
- Head of Merchandising for Watches of Switzerland encompassing all Fascia’s Goldsmiths, Watches of Switzerland, Mappin & Webb.
- Supported team by demonstrating respect and willingness to help.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
Senior Merchandiser
Aurum Holdings
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Senior Merchandiser on Watches working with a Merchandise team of 6.
- In just over 2 years we were able to rationalise the brand portfolio and increase turnover by +60% to £300m.
- Working closely with the buying side we were able to develop a strong and efficient team.
- Achieved recognition as Team of the Year in 2011.
- We also established strong working relationships with many of our vendors.
Senior Merchandiser
Aurum Holdings
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Senior Merchandiser on Gold, Gold Brands & Gift Ranges for Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland.
- With an annual turnover in excess of £40m and 5,100 options.
- The main duties involved managing a merchandise team of 3, working in conjunction with the buyers to re-invent the range of product and deliver to stores the correct stock package that supported the agreed sales targets.
- Constantly monitored and forecasted sales performance, identified opportunities and ‘open to buy’ whilst reducing risk.
- Provided accurate cash flow forecasts.
- Worked closely with stores, monitoring their performance and maintaining stock availability.
Senior Merchandiser
Aurum Holdings
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Senior Merchandiser on Development which encompassed developing smart Merchandise solutions for the trading teams.
- I played an integral part in launching and training of a new SAP reporting tool ‘BW’.
- I have trained and launched an entire suite of trading reports.
- I have driven the successful launch of stand-alone Guess Accessory Stores developing systems that will integrate with our Italian partners.
- Developing and launching new WSSI’s, Delivery Schedules and Range Plans as Goldsmith diversified into the fashion accessory market.
Senior Merchandiser
Asda / George
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Men’s Casual wear encompassed Casual trousers, Jeans, Outerwear and Skiwear reporting and deputising to the trading manager.
- This area was hugely challenging with a mix of long and short lead time suppliers and an annual turnover in excess of £114m and 750 options.
- Short lead time flexibility was essential in order to maximise potential sales.
- I achieved this through strong supplier relationships, with a key focus on booking trigger dates from capacity, greige fabric, & uncut dyed fabric.
- I also used this process for longer lead time production planning and booking stock out of season to drive margin.
- Monthly WSSI meetings to discuss sales, markdown, stockflows, and terminal stocks v targets.
- I took a proactive approach to communicate detailed sales performance and the actions necessary to drive the dept forward, mitigating the risk, and therefore increasing profit.
Merchandiser
Adams Childrenswear
01.1998 - 01.2004
- Following the acquisition of Dolcis, I rejoined Adams as a Merchandiser.
- My last position at Adams was as Merchandiser for the Mini Mode department.
- I was part of the team that introduced and established over 400 concessions within Boots the Chemist with an annual turnover in excess of £40m, delivering the complete offer for babies and toddlers aged up to 4.
- The main duties involved managing a merchandise team of 4, working in conjunction with the buyers to plan and deliver a range of products to support the agreed sales target.
- Liaising with Boots ensuring optimum stock levels to maximise the sales potential.
- I had the additional responsibility for designing and maintaining Adams ‘Spreadsheet’ based analysis tools such as, ‘range-planning’, ‘cash-flow forecasting’, ‘weekly sales reports’ and ‘line level detail analysis’.
- Previously at Adams I had the responsibility for the Toddler Boy Department (ages 1 to 3), which had an annual turnover in excess of £22m and consisted of a merchandise team of 3.
- Whilst undertaking the Toddler Boy department I was given the additional responsibility of planning and launching the Branded footwear department ‘Righty and Lefty’.
Merchandiser
Dolcis
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Following the acquisition of the Concession Business I was promoted to the position of Merchandiser for Dolcis Men’s Department.
- I had the task of managing the department, consisting of 5 members, through the transition stage of takeover by Alexon.
- The role included liasing with all levels and parties involved in the takeover.
Merchandiser
British Shoe Concessions
01.1996 - 01.1997
- In 1996 I was promoted to the position of Merchandiser for the Department Stores Concessions such as Selfridges, Brown Thomas and House of Frasier.
- I was given the responsibility of managing brands such as Hush Puppies, Clarks and Ecco across all genders Men’s, Ladies and Children’s.
- The role was varied and also included the responsibility of selecting individual ranges for certain Concession partners.
Senior Associate Merchandiser
Cable & Co
01.1995 - 01.1996
Assistant Merchandiser
Adams Childrenswear
01.1992 - 01.1995
Assistant Merchandise Controller
Tandem Shoes
01.1987 - 01.1992
Education
Diploma -
Information Technology
A – Levels - Accounting, Chemistry, History
O – Levels - Mathematics, English Languages
GCSE (Grade A’s) - Law, Accounting
CSE (Grade 1’s) - Mathematics, History, Chemistry, Geography, Biology
Skills
- Calm under pressure
- Problem-solving
- Team building
- Communication skills
Custom
My main interest and hobbies revolve around my family. I also enjoy most sporting activities but especially Football, Cricket, Squash.
Personal Information
Date of birth: 05/22/69
Timeline
Senior Merchandiser
Aurum Holdings
01.2010 - 01.2012
Senior Merchandiser
Aurum Holdings
01.2009 - 01.2010
Head of Watch Merchandising
Watches of Switzerland Group
01.2007 - 04.2025
Senior Merchandiser
Aurum Holdings
01.2007 - 01.2009
Senior Merchandiser
Asda / George
01.2004 - 01.2007
Merchandiser
Adams Childrenswear
01.1998 - 01.2004
Merchandiser
Dolcis
01.1997 - 01.1998
Merchandiser
British Shoe Concessions
01.1996 - 01.1997
Senior Associate Merchandiser
Cable & Co
01.1995 - 01.1996
Assistant Merchandiser
Adams Childrenswear
01.1992 - 01.1995
Assistant Merchandise Controller
Tandem Shoes
01.1987 - 01.1992
A – Levels - Accounting, Chemistry, History
O – Levels - Mathematics, English Languages
GCSE (Grade A’s) - Law, Accounting
CSE (Grade 1’s) - Mathematics, History, Chemistry, Geography, Biology
Diploma -
Information Technology
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