Apparel & Merchandise Manager

Job Description

Uprise Bikes is a premium, multi-brand cycling retailer with stores across Swansea and Bristol, a growing store network, and a loyal community of riders. We already sell Uprise-branded technical kit and casual wear — what we don't yet have is a structured apparel and merchandise business with its own creative platform.

We're building that now, anchored by Stay Curious — a new range of edgy, aspirational, streetwear-influenced graphic apparel, designed to be worn as much off the bike as on it, sitting alongside Uprise Kit (technical performance wear) and Uprise Essentials (everyday branded basics). All under the Uprise name.

This is a rare chance to own a brand-new apparel range end-to-end — from design direction through sourcing and production to store and online rollout — rather than stepping into someone else's established process. You'll report directly to our Managing Director and work alongside our Head of Marketing, with real budget, a clear first-year roadmap, and the autonomy to make it yours.

What you'll be doing

• Design direction — brief and manage external designers and illustrators, and hold the line on our brand rule that Uprise leads on every product, with Stay Curious as the named range beneath it.

• Sourcing & production — select and manage blank garment suppliers and UK print/embroidery decorators, run our mixed print-on-demand and small-batch model, and move proven bestsellers into bulk manufacture as they earn it.

• Supplier relationships — negotiate pricing, lead times and commercial terms, and own quality control and sustainability standards (organic cotton and recycled blends) throughout.

• Sampling & development — manage the sampling and refinement process across each range to get fit, quality and finish right before launch.

• Range planning & distribution — own the drop calendar, allocate stock across our expanding store network, manage online range pages, and make reorder/retire calls based on sell-through data.

• Trend & market awareness — keep a genuine handle on athleisure, streetwear and cycling-lifestyle trends so the range stays commercially sharp and true to the brand.

What we're looking for

• Experience in buying, merchandising or product development for apparel — own-brand or private-label experience is a strong plus.

• Direct, hands-on experience working with manufacturers, suppliers and (ideally) UK print/embroidery decorators.

• A genuine understanding of the streetwear/lifestyle and/or cycling apparel market, with strong product instincts and trend awareness.

• Confident sample evaluation and negotiation skills, and the ability to manage supplier relationships without heavy oversight.

• Comfortable owning a range end-to-end — part buyer, part product developer, part range planner — rather than only selecting and reordering third-party stock.

Candidates from own-brand/private-label buying teams at fashion or outdoor retailers, or from apparel product roles at cycling or outdoor brands, tend to be the closest fit — but we're just as interested in the right instincts and experience as the exact job title on your last payslip.

What's on offer

• £40,000–£58,000 base salary, depending on experience.

• The chance to build and own a brand-new apparel range from the ground up, with a clear 3-year roadmap and real investment behind it.

• Direct reporting line to the MD and a genuine seat at the table — this role is sized to grow into Head of Apparel & Merchandise as the range matures.

• Employee discount and Cycle to Work scheme across bikes, parts and apparel, plus free on-site parking and a casual dress code.

• A close-knit, community-rooted business with real momentum — an expanding store network and a loyal, engaged customer base.

CLOSING DATE - 11th OCTOBER 2026