Assistant Merchandiser - Menswear

White Stuff; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (3-4 days in the office

Quarterly/Annual bonus opportunity

Up to 25 days holiday per annum, plus

2 extra (paid!) days off per year to

50% discount

Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance

Healthcare cash plan

Life Assurance

Interest free season ticket loan

Pension Contribution

Job summary

White Stuff in London is seeking a Senior Assistant Merchandiser to plan and trade their department, using commercial analysis to maximise full-price sales, margin and stock productivity.

You'll work closely with the Merchandiser and Buying team, own reporting, line planning and in-season trading, while developing leadership skills to progress in your role.

Qualifications

• Strong WSSI, forecasting and stock-management experience.
• Understanding of OTB and seasonal investment planning.
• Strong numerical and analytical capability.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large datasets.
• Ability to translate analysis into clear commercial recommendations.
• Strong understanding of retail KPIs including sales, margin, stock, cover, markdown and availability.
• Confident written and verbal communication.
• Ability to present a concise commercial trading story.
• Strong customer and product awareness.
• Confidence working cross-functionally with Buying and wider channel teams.
• Ability to prioritise and make decisions in a fast-moving trading environment.
• Experience coaching or developing an MAA/Allocator is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Use historical performance, customer insight and commercial analysis to shape seasonal range plans, including lessons learnt, options, buy quantities, price architecture and line productivity.
• Own departmental WSSIs and line cards, reforecasting sales, stock, intake, markdown, margin and terminal stock, and recommending appropriate commercial actions. Complete the monthly margin roll in line with WSSI submission.
• Own weekly trading analysis, identifying risks and opportunities across sales, stock, margin and intake, and recommending actions to maximise sales and minimise terminal stock.
• Actively manage intake, launch positions, availability and stock cover, working cross-functionally to identify risks and protect sales.
• Proactively manage supplier relationships and the critical path, challenging delays and driving solutions to protect intake, availability and trade performance.
• Review size performance and recommend buying ratios and balance backs.
• Present trading performance, risks, opportunities and recommendations to Buying, Merchandising and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Coach and develop the department MAA, setting priorities, reviewing output and building their technical and commercial capability.
• Support Merchandising training for MAAs and new Assistant Merchandisers.

Skills

WSSI forecasting

Stock management

OTB planning

Numerical analysis

Advanced Excel

Commercial recommendation

KPIs understanding

Cross-functional collaboration

Trading story presentation

People development

Job description

Who we are:

White Stuff was established in 1985 through a simple idea. This idea grew and now we have shops and concessions in the UK and internationally, selling women's and men's clothing as well as beautiful accessories and homeware. Our original prints (all designed in house), intricate details and considered design touches reflect our personality and make us subtly distinctive.

Our people are at the heart of our brand, constantly moving and driving us forward. We're sociable, talented and like minded and we're not hierarchical or political in how we do business. We encourage entrepreneurial ideas and accountability at all levels.

Who you are:

You will have a passion and enthusiasm for product and a keen interest in our product categories. You'll have the ability to multitask and work independently in a fast-paced environment both in the office and from home. It's essential to have a keen eye for detail and accuracy and you need to have amazing time management, communication, and organizational skills.

Primary objective of the job:

As a Senior Assistant Merchandiser at White Stuff, you will play a key role in planning and trading your department, using commercial analysis to identify opportunities and risks and recommend actions that maximise full-price sales, margin and stock productivity.

Working closely with the Merchandiser and Buying team, you'll take ownership of reporting, line planning and in-season trading, while developing the commercial judgement and leadership skills required to progress in your role.

What you'll be doing:

• Use historical performance, customer insight and commercial analysis to shape seasonal range plans, including lessons learnt, options, buy quantities, price architecture and line productivity.
• Own departmental WSSIs and line cards, reforecasting sales, stock, intake, markdown, margin and terminal stock, and recommending appropriate commercial actions. Complete the monthly margin roll in line with WSSI submission.
• Own weekly trading analysis, identifying risks and opportunities across sales, stock, margin and intake, and recommending actions to maximise sales and minimise terminal stock.
• Actively manage intake, launch positions, availability and stock cover, working cross-functionally to identify risks and protect sales.
• Proactively manage supplier relationships and the critical path, challenging delays and driving solutions to protect intake, availability and trade performance.
• Review size performance and recommend buying ratios and balance backs.
• Present trading performance, risks, opportunities and recommendations to Buying, Merchandising and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Coach and develop the department MAA, setting priorities, reviewing output and building their technical and commercial capability.
• Support Merchandising training for MAAs and new Assistant Merchandisers.

What you'll need:

You'll ideally already be operating as an Assistant Merchandiser within fashion, lifestyle or a comparable retail environment and be ready to take greater ownership of planning and trading.

• Strong WSSI, forecasting and stock-management experience.
• Understanding of OTB and seasonal investment planning.
• Strong numerical and analytical capability.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large datasets.
• Ability to translate analysis into clear commercial recommendations.
• Strong understanding of retail KPIs including sales, margin, stock, cover, markdown and availability.
• Confident written and verbal communication.
• Ability to present a concise commercial trading story.
• Strong customer and product awareness.
• Confidence working cross-functionally with Buying and wider channel teams.
• Ability to prioritise and make decisions in a fast-moving trading environment.
• Experience coaching or developing an MAA/Allocator is desirable.

What we will offer you:

As a Senior Assistant Merchandiser at White Stuff you will be entitled to an array of great benefits, some of which include:

• Hybrid working (3-4 days in the office).
• Quarterly/Annual bonus opportunity.
• Up to 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays.
• 2 extra (paid!) days off per year to volunteer in the local community.
• 50% discount.
• Subsidised BUPA Dental Insurance.
• Healthcare cash plan and Life Assurance.
• Interest free season ticket loan.
• Pension Contribution.

We are committed to creating an environment where we can all be proud to work and be ourselves. Part of this commitment is being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, and age