Assistant Merchandiser

Oliver Bonas Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a vibrant team as an Assistant Merchandiser, where your analytical skills and merchandising experience will shine! This role offers the chance to support the Merchandiser in maximizing sales and minimizing markdowns while enjoying a collaborative and playful work environment. With hybrid working options and a commitment to equity and inclusion, this position is perfect for someone who thrives in a dynamic setting. If you are passionate about retail and eager to contribute to a positive team culture, this is the opportunity for you. Embrace the chance to make a meaningful impact in a company that values hard work, creativity, and kindness!

Benefits

Employee discount up to 50%

24-hour employee assistance programme

Flexible holiday (30-35 days)

Annual discretionary profit-related bonus

Private Medical membership

Pension plan auto-enrolment

Onsite gym access

Cycle to work scheme

Quarterly free lunch

Enhanced parental leave

Qualifications

• Essential previous merchandising and retail experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office with strong analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in sales analysis and stock allocation to maximize profitability.
• Manage projections and suggest improvements for forecasting.

Skills

Merchandising experience

Retail experience

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Team collaboration

Time management

Job description

We are looking for an Assistant Merchandiser (Jewellery & Hair Accessories) to join Team OB in our Support Office.

As an Assistant Merchandiser at OB, you will provide support and lead by example to the MAA’s, being part of the dynamic Merchandising team. You will assist in providing sales analysis and administrative support, in addition to accurate stock allocation and supply chain coordination.

This role will support the Merchandiser by providing accurate data as well as assisting in planning and trading of the account to maximize sales, reduce markdown spend, and increase profitability.

Our Support Office is based in Tolworth, near Chessington, only a 30-minute journey from London Waterloo. We offer hybrid working with a split of 3 days in the office and 2 days home working per week, and are open to conversations about flexible working.

A bit about us …

At Oliver Bonas (OB), our values of Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind are integral to everything we do. Collaboration, imagination, curiosity, and teamwork are key to our success, and everyone has their part to play in making OB a special place to work.

Having fun is key, and a playful and positive approach creates an optimistic environment. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we are serious about what we do.

Our team knows their stuff. They’re confident and creative and unafraid to challenge convention to find solutions, taking accountability for their actions, but always with kindness and humility.

More about the role …

An OB Assistant Merchandiser will:

• Set up year’s WSSI, update and reforecast the WSSI weekly with input from the merchandiser.
• Manage projections and repeat line buys through weekly trade meetings and propose ways to minimize risk for the department.
• Make frequent suggestions for improved forecasting.
• Work with the Merchandiser and Buying team to integrate lessons learned from the previous season into new department strategies.
• Assist in constructing the optimum range for the target market by balancing price architecture and category.
• Create data packs and present in trade & sign-off meetings.
• Develop knowledge of branch profiling and consider external factors when planning the range.
• Plan intake to deliver new options as appropriate to keep newness flowing through the business considering space layout requirements.
• Assist in planning the overall intake/stock levels to minimize stockholding but maximize sales opportunities.
• Use the WSSI to inform trade and stock management decisions through weekly updates of stock levels, sales, intake, and monthly reforecasts.
• Through weekly trade meetings with Buying Teams, identify best-sellers and trade where necessary.
• Make decisions regarding risks and opportunities daily and propose significant changes to the Merchandiser.
• Identify lines for markdown and mark-up activity as well as forecast markdown spend and evaluate profit implications of markdown activity.
• Assist in planning promotions when necessary to manage stock cover.
• Review and update Store grading regularly.
• Help set up new Stores ensuring the Store has the right stock package.
• Produce accurate analytical reports for Store/SO teams weekly/monthly.
• Monitor critical path dates and maintain an accurate delivery schedule liaising with the buying team, merchandiser, and logistics team.
• Make suggestions on phasing of launch, grading & peak intake.
• Build strong supplier relationships & understand the implications of late deliveries and manage accordingly.
• Manage stock into the Warehouse and the distribution of stock to stores, constantly reviewing best process practice and suggesting improvements to the Merchandiser.
• Be responsible for the production of an OTB monitor as appropriate and management of stock levels and commitment at all times.

Bonas Benefits:

• Generous employee discount up to 50% off all OB products.
• Free access to our 24-hour employee assistance programme with Care First – offering financial, emotional, and vocational support.
• Flexible holiday – 30 days (including bank holidays) – increasing to 35 days with length of service.
• Annual discretionary profit-related bonus scheme.
• Free membership for our Westfield Health Cash Plan or Private Medical.
• Auto-enrolment into our pension plan.
• Free access to our onsite gym.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Refer a Friend incentive.
• Quarterly free lunch.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave.
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Voice network and EDI team.
• Mental Health First Aider support.
• Education and support throughout Looop eLearning platform.

What we look for:

• Previous Merchandising experience is essential.
• Previous retail experience and genuine interest in the industry.
• IT Literate with Intermediate/Advanced Microsoft Office skills – Word/Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent analytical and numerical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Team player with a collaborative approach.
• Motivated and able to work well to tight deadlines.
• Initiative, decisiveness, and effective problem-solving skills.
• Proactive forward thinker.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at OB

At Oliver Bonas, our promise is to do our bit to make living a joyful experience and give cause for optimism. This promise is central to our work in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). To bring joy to others, we must first ensure everyone at OB feels valued, included, and most importantly, can be themselves at work.

It is important to us that our brand reflects wider society and the communities in which we operate. As a result, we welcome all eligible applicants for this role; however, we are particularly interested in speaking to eligible candidates from the Black, Asian & Mixed Heritage communities.

Oliver Bonas is a Disability Confident Committed employer under the Disability Confident employer scheme.

To read more about our ED&I commitments, head over to the EDI page on our website: EDI Page