Assistant Merchandiser - Trading & Category Ownership

Urban Outfitters; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work-life balance

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Discount: Up to 40%

Volunteer day

Job summary

Urban Outfitters is seeking an experienced Assistant Merchandiser to join our London team. You will support the Merchandiser across multiple categories, driving seasonal plans, forecasts and margin targets while building strong partnerships with buyers and suppliers.

You will own in-season trading for assigned product areas, analyze trading patterns, optimize speed to market and contribute to profitable MD and promotional planning.

Qualifications

• Experience as an Assistant Merchandiser with a strong understanding of Retail systems.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrate logical analysis and positive problem solving skills.
• Ability to understand financial measurements and how to impact them.
• Trading mentality; ability to work at pace, challenge results and information to identify challenges, drive for results and track record of success.
• Profit Focused; skilled at finding opportunities to achieve profit in any situation, trading mentality to support and develop product areas.
• Team Leadership; provides clear business goals for teams, supports and develops skills base to encourage teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Support Merchandiser with Seasonal Plans and re-forecasts for all categories driven from sales history and Brand Strategy.
• Support Merchandiser in managing OTB - continually identify risks/ opportunities to maintain flexibility.
• Oversee intake margin alongside Buying counterparts. Agree target margins with Senior Planner and ensure these are met.
• Ensure line cards are maintained on a weekly basis; propose rebuy dates and volumes required.
• Develop strong partnerships with buyers to understand their vision and direction, establish an understanding of customers and buying trends.
• Take accountability for in-season trading for assigned product areas – analyze trading patterns and identify opportunity for repeats, work with Buying to optimize speed to market.
• Manage MD and Promotional planning for product areas – strive to minimize MD and drive profitability.
• Work within a clear critical path to operate an effective/timely product sign off process, appropriate for product lead-time.
• Ensure that the correct level of newness is present, and that correct mix of end use is phased in at the appropriate time.
• Collate Seasonal price analysis – support Merchandiser with developing Regional pricing architecture.
• Work with key Suppliers to improve efficiencies in lead times, shipping costs and communication.
• Oversee department allocations and ensure all MAA’s are fully trained and knowledgeable on using the allocation tool.
• Manage a team of MAA’s ensuring the accurate and timely execution of intake and allocation.
• Identify training and development needs within the MAA community and feedback to Management.

Skills

Assistant Merchandiser

Trading mentality

Team leadership

Strong communication

Analytical thinking

Understanding of financials

Organizational skills

Retail systems

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Urban Outfitters is seeking an experienced Assistant Merchandiser to join our London team. You will support the Merchandiser across multiple categories, driving seasonal plans, forecasts and margin targets while building strong partnerships with buyers and suppliers.

You will own in-season trading for assigned product areas, analyze trading patterns, optimize speed to market and contribute to profitable MD and promotional planning.