Merchandise Planner L3 (12 Month FTC)

Ocado Retail Ltd; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocado Retail is seeking a Merchandise Planner for a fixed-term contract of 12 months in Hatfield. The role involves optimizing stock levels, managing supplier performance, and delivering KPIs to drive sales and improve profitability. Candidates should have proven experience in retail merchandising, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Discounted gym memberships

26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays

Free breakfast every day in the office

Electric vehicle leasing scheme

Qualifications

• Experience ideally within online sales in Homeware, Beauty, Clothing & Healthcare sectors.
• Management experience is desirable.
• Ability to interpret complex data and identify key performance drivers.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage forecasting across defined product areas.
• Manage supplier performance and ensure effective working relationships.
• Oversee stock clearance and sell-through activity.

Skills

Numerical and analytical skills

Commercial acumen

Planning and organisation

Adaptability

Communication

Teamwork

Results oriented

Customer-centric

Education

Experience as a Merchandise Planner

Tools

MS Office

GSuite

Job description

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Client:

Location:

Hatfield, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

2936e8eaef6e

Job Views:

4

Posted:

14.07.2025

Expiry Date:

28.08.2025

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Job Description:

Vacancy NameMerchandise Planner L3 (12 Month FTC)Vacancy NoVN935Job TypeFixed TermLocationHatfieldJob Details

Merchandise Planner L3 (12 Month FTC)

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract (12 months)
Location: Hatfield (hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Manager
Application closing date: Monday 14th July

About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivaled service, and reassuringly good value.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading, joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket . Not only is Ocado.com the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, but it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind , our same-day grocery delivery service.

About the team and the role
The Merchandise Planner is responsible for the optimisation of stock levels for their department on Ocado.com. They will have full accountability for the stock holding, availability to promise, service levels, YOY improvements in stock cover, and warehouse space utilisation across a specified set of categories and suppliers.
The Merchandise Planner works closely with the MPM & Buying Manager for the relevant to ensure sales weighted availability is maintained at optimal levels to drive sales, meet KPI’s and boost warehouse efficiencies. They are also responsible for delivering their departments KPIs including basket contribution (sales), gross margin, profitability, aged stock and purge.

What you’ll do

Forecasting Stock and Commercial Trading – Independently manage macro (category/supplier) and micro (SKU) level forecasting across a defined product area. This includes activities such as developing and delivering category buying plans aligned to business strategies and commercial targets, long term stock projections, managing availability and stock levels and using reporting tools to analyse and understand performance and opportunities.

Managing stock clearance and sell through activity - SKU level management of the exit stock. This includes recommending lines to be discontinued, managing aged stock levels to the minimum and creating and managing clearance promotions to ensure exit lines are sold through.

Managing Supplier Performance - Work with new and established suppliers to ensure that the supply relationship is nurtured from the start of direct supply through to an effective working relationship. Review and challenge supplier performance, to maximise commercial and logistical benefits to the Ocado business.

Data Management – Product and supplier relevant data to be input and maintained using Ocado’s custom built systems.

Who you are

Proven experience working as an established Merchandise Planner with experience ideally within online sales in the Homeware, Beauty, Clothing & Healthcare sectors

Planning and organisation - manages multiple tasks and stakeholders ensuring deadlines are met

Numerical and analytical skills - able to interpret complex data and identify key drivers for performance

Commercial acumen - strong understanding of market, product mix, basket, and margin

Adaptable and able to initiate change and evolution in all aspects of the workplace

Communication - effectively and flexes style according to the audience ensuring positive outcomes are reached

Teamwork - builds a strong sense of community including working collaborative and proactively supports colleagues to achieve organisational goals

Results orientated - focused on getting the job done, decisive and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Proactively identifies opportunities to improve range performance and profitability

Customer-centric with a desire to exceed customer expectations

Management experience is desirable

IT Skills - high levels of proficiency in MS Office and GSuite

What’s in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with the option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
Spend & Save: Recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
Never miss the moments that matter: Blended/Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy an extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.

Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we get loads of great applications and we really appreciate that so many people put the time and effort in to apply. To recognise that, we treat all applications respectfully and fairly. So, if yours stands out, you’ll follow our standard hiring process - one of our Talent Partners will talk you through this in an initial call.

Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer. That means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.

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