Merchandise Assistant (NEXT Wholly Owned Brands)

NEXT Wholly Owned Brands; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discount

Bonus

Life assurance

Travel card loan

Learning & development

Flexi-hours

Direct to Work

Gym discounts

Job summary

NEXT Wholly Owned Brands in London is seeking a Merchandise Assistant to support the Merchandising team. You will help ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time and in the right quantities, working closely with Buying and suppliers to optimise ranges.

You'll gain exposure to sales analysis, stock management and critical path planning while developing your career in fashion merchandising within NEXT's portfolio of brands.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical and Excel skills.
• Great organisation and attention to detail.
• A genuine interest in fashion, retail and what’s happening in the market.
• The ability to work at pace and manage competing priorities.
• A proactive approach to problem solving.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships.
• A team‑first attitude and a willingness to learn.
• Fashion degree, retail or store experience is beneficial, but we’re interested in your potential as well as your experience.

Responsibilities

• Guard the critical path, liaising with suppliers to ensure it is up to date and stock is delivered in a timely manner.
• Support your Assistant Merchandiser/Merchandiser with collating sales reporting, general administration, and analysis.
• Ensure item numbers and purchase orders are raised and approved in a timely manner.
• Identify trends and review sales performance for your department categories.
• Collaborate with the Buying department on your category, working with the Buying Assistant to drive forward trade.
• Build relationships with suppliers, serving as the go-to person for any queries around stock intake.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel

Job description

The Merchandise Assistant plays a vital support role in the Merchandising team, ensuring the right products are in the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantities. This role is responsible for maximising the profitability of each line by working closely with the Buying team and suppliers to help plan and build the product ranges.

Product and Range Management

• Act as the guardian of the critical path, liaising with suppliers to ensure it is up to date and stock is delivered in a timely manner.
• Support your Assistant Merchandiser/ Merchandiser with collating sales reporting, general administration, and analysis.
• Ensure item numbers and purchase orders are raised and approved in a timely manner.

Trading & Insight

• Identify trends and review sales performance for your department categories.
• Collaborate with the Buying department on your category, working with the Buying Assistant to drive forward trade.
• Build relationships with suppliers, serving as the go-to person for any queries around stock intake.
• Work as part of a strong team, collaborating with the buying department on your category, working with the Buying Assistant to drive forward trade.

About You

You don’t need to have all the answers. We’re looking for someone who is curious, commercially minded and excited about building a career in fashion merchandising. You don’t need to know everything on day one – we’re looking for genuine fashion passion, commercial curiosity and the drive to learn.

• Strong analytical and Excel skills.
• Great organisation and attention to detail.
• A genuine interest in fashion, retail and what’s happening in the market.
• The ability to work at pace and manage competing priorities.
• A proactive approach to problem solving.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships.
• A team‑first attitude and a willingness to learn.
• Fashion degree, retail or store experience is beneficial, but we’re interested in your potential as well as your experience.

What We Can Offer You

This isn’t just a job supporting a merchandising team - it’s an opportunity to learn how fashion works commercially and build the foundations for a long‑term career. You’ll work alongside experienced Buyers and Merchandisers, giving you exposure to the decisions behind our ranges and the opportunity to understand how product moves from an idea to the customer.

You’ll develop your skills across sales analysis, stock management, critical path, supplier relationships and trading, while gaining a real understanding of how a fashion business operates. As your confidence and experience grow, so can your career. We’ll give you the support, learning opportunities and hands‑on experience to help you take your next step in merchandising.

And because you’ll be part of NEXT Wholly Owned Brands, you’ll have the opportunity to work across a portfolio of fashion and lifestyle brands, surrounded by people who are encouraged to be curious, challenge convention and bring new ideas to the table.

We want our people to feel rewarded, supported and empowered, both at work and beyond. That’s why we offer a range of benefits, including:

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria’s Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• 10% off most partner brands and up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Exclusive offers and hot deals from over 3,500 retailers through our online benefits platform
• Company performance‑based bonus
• Early VIP access to sale stock through Direct to Desk
• Life assurance
• Annual Travel Card Loan
• Fantastic Learning & Development opportunities
• Flexi‑Hour Scheme
• Direct to Work – shop online and in‑store, with free next‑day collection from your place of work or a local store
• Support Networks – access to network groups that empower, connect and celebrate our people
• Wellhub – discounted, flexible monthly gym memberships, plus access to fitness apps, personal training sessions and more

Who are NEXT Wholly Owned Brands?

At NEXT Wholly Owned Brands, we’re a collective of London‑based fashion and lifestyle brands. From our beginnings with Lipsy in 1998, to becoming part of the UK’s largest fashion retailer, NEXT, in 2008 we’ve evolved into a group of bold, design‑led brands, each with its unique identity.

At the heart of our business is a passionate team driven by creativity, innovation, and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional results. We foster a culture where individuality is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and challenging the status quo is part of how we grow.