Merchandise Planning Manager

Card Factory; Newton Hill; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading greetings card retailer in the UK is seeking an experienced Merchandise Planning Manager for a 12-month fixed term role. This position involves setting budgets and strategies, managing category stock, and collaborating with the commercial team to optimize performance. Candidates must have merchandising experience, a strong ability to coach team members, and the capability to work under pressure. The role offers a hybrid work model from Newton Hill and opportunities for growth and development.

Benefits

Pension

15% discount in-store and online

Save As You Earn scheme

Financial Wellbeing Support

Seasonal incentive schemes

Discounted gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a non-food retail environment.
• Experience in coaching and developing team members.
• Strong ability to deliver targets in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Implement a customer driven range strategy.
• Conduct reviews of category and product performance.
• Lead weekly trade reviews collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Manage category stock planning and replenishment processes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders providing insights to support decisions.
• Plan and prioritise inbound and outbound stock flow.

Skills

Merchandising experience

Direct line management and coaching

Ability to deliver results

Work under pressure

Confidence in building relationships

Organised planning capabilities

Job description

Overview

Job Introduction

This is a great opportunity for an experienced Merchandise Planning Manager to join the Commercial team at cardfactory on a 12-month fixed term basis.

Working with the Senior Merchandise Planning Manager you will set out budgets & strategies for your own categories that deliver profit in line with our company strategy. You will be responsible for the development of an Assistant Merchandiser. You will need to be able to think on your feet and make quick, informed decisions. As well as strong merchandising skills, you will show a real desire to learn and grow, as well as a curiosity and ownership for the success of your category.

We operate smart working principles at cardfactory, combining some days working from our support centre in Wakefield (2 days a week onsite) with some days working remotely from home.

Main Responsibilities

• Implement a customer driven range strategy aligned with the overall commercial strategy & critical path ensuring optimal return on space
• Conduct periodic reviews of category & product performance, understanding how this may impact future performance and reflect risks and opportunities
• Lead the weekly trade reviews and post-implementation reviews, collaborating with cross functional teams ensuring that they are clear on priority actions and lessons learnt
• You’ll be responsible for your category stock: WSSI planning, OTB management process, purchase orders, promotional stock planning, markdown plan, clearance, total DC & store stock levels, replenishment & ordering parameters to deliver depot/supplier service targets, manage tolerance on stock commitments, availability, & reviewing forecasts
• Collaborate with key stakeholders on cross-functional activity and provide insight and measurement to support
• Plan and prioritise inbound and outbound stock flow for your range/category, understanding the impact on supply, logistics and retail teams and communicating issues where appropriate

The Ideal Candidate

• Merchandising experience required preferably within a Non-food multi-channel retail environment
• Direct line management experience in coaching and developing junior members of the team
• Ability to deliver results to target, as an individual and within a team
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-moving dynamic retail environment
• Confidence to influence and engage, building relationships with key stakeholders
• Organised with strong planning capabilities

About the Company

Card Factory is the UK’s leading specialist retailer of greetings cards, dressings, and gifts with over one thousand stores across the UK and Ireland. In 2020 we launched our exciting 5-year business strategy including our vision of becoming a true Omni-channel retailer. This strategy sees significant investment into our colleagues across the business creating multiple opportunities to join a fast-paced environment and be part of our exciting journey.

In return, we offer a wide range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.

Benefits

• Pension
• 15% Card Factory colleague discount in-store and online
• Save As You Earn scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
  • Financial Education Tools
  • Salary Advance
• Seasonal incentive schemes
• Retail Management Apprenticeship Programmes with local providers with access to a virtual internal network for learning together
• Discounted gym membership, mobile phone contracts, and car leasing
• Discounts across 100’s of UK retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to tools to support mental, physical, and financial wellbeing
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption leave

This is an exciting role with genuine prospects for the right candidate. If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply now.

For any questions email: [e-mail] (we do not accept CVs/Applications via email)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once sufficient suitable applications have been received. We advise applying early to avoid disappointment as applications will be reviewed regularly.

No agencies, please.

Sportswift Ltd T/A Card Factory

#VP25