Assistant Merchandiser

British Heart Foundation; Northampton; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

British Heart Foundation is seeking two analytical Assistant Merchandisers to join our Merchandising team. You will support the Merchandiser in planning, allocating and trading bought-in products across our nationwide retail estate and online channels.

You will use data to identify opportunities, minimise risks and support decisions that maximise sales and availability, engaging in forecasting and stock management throughout the product lifecycle.

Qualifications

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• Analytical thinker with strong numerical skills and ability to draw insights from data.
• Experience using data to inform range planning and trading decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines across stores and online channels.

Responsibilities

• Analysing sales, product and supplier performance data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Supporting range planning and preparing insights for trading and review meetings.
• Managing stock allocation and distribution across stores and online channels.
• Monitoring stock levels, updating forecasts and maintaining open-to-buy plans.
• Supporting promotional activity, markdowns and stock optimisation initiatives.
• Preparing regular trading reports and ensuring actions are followed through.
• Building relationships with Buying, Merchandising and wider teams to drive performance.

Skills

Data analysis

merchandising

Stock management

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Excel

Merchandising systems

Job description

We're looking for two analytical and commercially minded Assistant Merchandisers to join our Merchandising team and play a key role in ensuring the right products are in the right place, at the right time, across our retail and online channels.

As an Assistant Merchandiser, you'll support the Merchandiser in planning, allocating and trading bought-in products across our nationwide retail estate and online channels. Using data and insight, you'll help identify opportunities, minimise risks and support decisions that maximise sales and availability. You'll be involved in every stage of the product lifecycle, from analysing performance and forecasting demand to managing stock levels and supporting key trading activity such as promotions, markdowns and re-buys.

Responsibilities

• Analysing sales, product and supplier performance data to identify trends and opportunities.
• Supporting range planning and preparing insights for trading and review meetings.
• Managing stock allocation and distribution across stores and online channels.
• Monitoring stock levels, updating forecasts and maintaining open-to-buy plans.
• Supporting promotional activity, markdowns and stock optimisation initiatives.
• Preparing regular trading reports and ensuring actions are followed through.
• Building strong relationships with Buying, Merchandising and wider business teams to drive performance and resolve challenges quickly.

What we're looking for

• You'll bring previous experience from a retail head office environment and have a genuine passion for retail, products and trading.
• Whether you've worked in merchandising, buying or another product-focused role, you'll be comfortable using data to tell a story and influence decisions.
• Experience within a retail head office environment, ideally in merchandising, buying or a product/category role.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills with the ability to draw clear conclusions from data.
• A good understanding of merchandising principles, including range planning, allocation and in-season trading.
• Experience using merchandising and reporting systems to maintain accurate information and generate insights.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.
• A proactive mindset, curiosity to learn and enthusiasm for embracing new technologies and AI-enabled ways of working.
• Experience in a store or customer-facing retail environment would be advantageous but is not essential.