Merchandise / Supply Chain planner

Waitrose & Partners; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retailer is seeking a Merchandise Planner in Bracknell. This role focuses on optimizing stock for Food & Grocery customers, ensuring timely replenishment based on demand forecasts. Successful candidates will have strong data analysis skills and experience managing supplier relationships. A hybrid working arrangement and professional development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Experience in data analysis and decision making.
• Experience collaborating on projects to deliver business solutions.
• Ability to influence and manage relationships with suppliers and customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Apps.

Responsibilities

• Optimize stock availability for Food & Grocery customers.
• Plan items for promotions, deals, and events.
• Provide data and insights for evidence-based decision making.

Skills

Data analysis

Project collaboration

Relationship management

Microsoft Excel

Google Apps

Tools

JDA

Snowflake

Tableau

Job description

About The Role

As a Merchandise Planner, you will focus on creating, optimising, and delivering plans for supplier ordering and stock replenishment. Your goal is to ensure the right amount of stock is in the right place at the right time, based on demand forecasts. Planning is a key part of each Category Proposition Group's work to deliver the trade plan and impact key stock KPIs such as availability, wastage, and stock holding. This role offers opportunities for personal and professional development. The Partnership supports flexible working arrangements, including part-time, compressed hours, and job sharing, with a blended approach between office and home working. We celebrate diversity and aim to be the UK's most inclusive business, reflecting the communities we serve.

• Salary: Up to £61,000 (depending on experience)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Hybrid approach, with around 2 days in the office and ad-hoc meetings
• Location: Bracknell Head Office

Key Responsibilities

• Optimize stock availability for Food & Grocery customers to meet sales targets and control wastage and working capital costs.
• Plan items for promotions, deals, and events using insights from the Category Proposition Group and historical data analysis.
• Provide data and insights to support evidence-based decision making within the category.

Essential Skills/Experience

• Experience in data analysis and decision making.
• Experience collaborating on projects to deliver business solutions.
• Ability to influence and manage relationships with suppliers and customers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Apps.

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience with advanced merchandising systems (e.g., JDA, LDE).
• Experience with data management tools (e.g., Snowflake, Tableau).

About The Partnership

We’re the largest employee-owned business in the UK, home to John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re driven by our purpose to build a happier world. We focus on retail excellence, innovation, and diversification. As Partners, we share ownership, contribute to our success, and foster an environment of kindness, respect, and inclusion. We encourage everyone to be themselves and thrive, growing individually and collectively. We believe everyone makes a difference, and we all own it.

Important Points

Some roles require pre-employment vetting, including DBS checks, which will be communicated during recruitment. We recommend applying early, as vacancies may close early. We support flexible working arrangements, including flexible hours, job sharing, and shorter contracts. Please discuss your needs with the hiring manager during the interview.