Merchandiser

JDSports; Bury; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

JD Sports Group Head Office, Bury, Greater Manchester, seeks a Merchandising Leader to head the team responsible for Channel Sales, Markdown, Stock, Intake and Profit Plans. You will drive business change to achieve company objectives and develop talent for internal promotions.

Collaborating across Online, Store Operations, Visuals, Marketing, Finance and DC, you will deliver weekly trading performance, seasonal range plans and sell-through targets, while guiding the team to optimise assortment

Qualifications

• Experience leading a merchandising team in a retail environment.
• Strong understanding of category planning and assortment strategy.
• Proven ability to drive financial performance from markdowns, stock and intake.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to deliver channel sales, markdown, stock, intake and profit plans.
• Drive business change to meet company objectives.
• Develop and promote talent within the team; enable succession planning.

Skills

Merchandising leadership

Sports retailer experience

Excellent numeracy

Commercial focus

Job description

Responsible to: Merchandise Manager

Department: Merchandising

Location:

Role Overview: JD Group Head Office, Bury, Greater Manchester To lead the team to deliver all Channel Sales, Markdown, Stock, Intake and Profit Plans. Drive business change to achieve company goals/objectives.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

Strategy (10%):

• With the Buyer review previous season and capture lessons learned.
• With the Buyer create the strategy for the department and present
• Drive Team development supporting the business to facilitate internal promotions and succession planning

Plan (35%):

• Approve the proposed grading from the trading Merchandiser for input into the assortment planning process
• Review the SMT plan at Buyer Group/Season annually and apply plan at Category/Season level to meet the Buyer Group/Season plan
• Quarterly plan at Category/Season level with the Buyer to submit a plan on the System that reflects the best possible mix of product to deliver the KPI’s
• Formulate range plan at Store level in conjunction with the Buyer quarterly
• Attend selection/pre-selection meetings with the Buyer and suppliers.
• Plan the Pre Scheduling to meet the range plan – In conjunction with Assistant Merchandisers

Stock (5%):

• Overview the ratios for all buys in conjunction with Assistant merchandiser
• Ensure that the Buy matches the plan Buy
• Manage Intake at category and line level

Trade (50%):

• Review weekly trading performance and achieved KPI’s, identifying Issues and the course of action in preparation for the weekly trading meetings
• Propose and agree actions to recover risk and maximise opportunities with the Buyer at category and line level.
• Monthly – Capture all agreed actions in the monthly forecast reviews
• Work up the forecast from category/Season level to Buyer Group
• Meet and gain approval: Incorporating
• Forecasting any sales variance to plan
• Creation of OTB’s
• Management of commitments – On time delivery, rebuys cancellations
• Markdown proposals
• Provide Retail with Merchandising aids through the Store Allocators
• Manage the range plan in Season reflecting any changes
• Create and Manage/monitor sell out dates against all products

Establish collaborative working relationships across functions including Online, Store operations, visuals, Marketing, Finance, DC and Stores

Behavioural:

• Delivering Excellence Working at a consistently high standard & with enthusiasm. you work to deliver a high quality service to meet personal and team expectations.
• Responsibility (Delivers results) Take ownership of your work and use your initiative to deliver. Take responsibility for your own actions & decisions
• Team Work You work with others to reach a common goal; sharing information, supporting colleagues and searching out expertise and solutions from relevant stakeholders.
• Leadership You lead by example through your behaviours and professional approach to work; inspiring your colleagues and driving for results.
• Communication You communicate clearly and concisely, ensuring that the message is understood by all.

Skills/Experience/Knowledge Needed:

• Experience within a similar role is essential
• Experience within a sports/fashion retailer is advantageous
• Highly numerate and strong commercial focus