Merchandise Planning Assistant

Ocado Retail Ltd; Hatfield; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading online supermarket is seeking a Merchandise Planning Assistant in Hatfield. This role involves providing administrative support to the merchandise planning team and ensuring efficient stock management. Required skills include experience in administration and retail, strong IT skills, and good communication abilities. Benefits include hybrid working, private medical insurance, and employee discounts.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Discounted gym memberships

Annual bonus scheme

15% Ocado discount

Flexible working options

26 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Focus on accuracy and detail.
• Ability to pick up tasks and to quickly learn bespoke IT systems.
• Good time management with the ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide admin support to the Merchandise Planners and Merchandise Planning Manager.
• Manage and maintain data for accurate forecasting and ordering.
• Communicate with suppliers regarding deliveries and issues.

Skills

Previous Experience in an administrative role

Experience in a Retail background

Good IT skills with experience using Microsoft Office

Good written and verbal communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Team working

Flexible and adaptable

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel)

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:

0cde5e876e5a

Job Views:

5

Posted:

12.08.2025

Expiry Date:

26.09.2025

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Job Description:

Vacancy NameMerchandise Planning AssistantVacancy NoVN1009Job TypePermanentLocationHatfieldJob Details

Merchandise Planning Assistant

Contract type: Permanent

Location: Hatfield( Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)

Working hours per week: 40 hours

Level: Entry Level

Application closing date: Friday 15th August 2025

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 Assistant will provide admin support to the Merchandise Planners and Merchandise Planning Manager. The Merchandise Planning team are responsible for optimising stock across the Ocado range. The Merchandise Assistant supports the team of Merchandise planners by actively managing and maintaining data. This enables accurate forecasting and ordering stock as well as the prompt and precise payment of supplier invoices.

Team Structure
Senior Merchandise Planning Manager
Merchandise Planning Manager
Merchandise Planner (L1/2/3)
Merchandise Planning Assistant

What you’ll do

Invoice Matching for a defined set of suppliers

Delivery Conformance Monitoring - Communicating with suppliers by email and phone about short deliveries and failed deliveries.

Identifying the impact of consistent shorts / failed deliveries on Sales Weighted Availability KPI and flag issues to Merchandise Planner / Merchandise Planning Manager

Supplier ‘out of stock’ Management - Availability Tracking and managing non-orderable products through communicating with suppliers and managing availability statuses

Updating supplier delivery schedules

Maintaining product information such as descriptions, product life, barcodes etc.

Undertaking periodic data checks, such as costs, VAT, product life etc.

Setting up new suppliers and liaising with other departments on supplier setup

Relisting and delisting existing lines

Loading clearance promotions

Organising purge and stock transfers with GMDC Ops

Running regular reports, circulating results and taking consequent actions

Liaising with warehouse operations teams resolving supplier non-conformance issues and dealing with supplier returns

Ad hoc support as required by Merchandise Planners and Merchandise Planning Managers

Who you are

Previous Experience in an administrative role

Experience in a Retail background

Good IT skills with experience using Microsoft Office in particular, Excel

Communication - Good written and verbal communication skills

Attention to detail - Focus on accuracy and detail

Ability and aptitude - Ability to pick up tasks and to quickly learn bespoke IT systems

Time management - Good time management with the ability to work independently

Team working - Proactive and collaborative approach to work with fellow Merchandise

Planning Administrators and the wider Merchandise Planning team

Flexible and adaptable - Willingness to get involved when needed in tasks outside of their normal remit

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: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, 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.