Merchandiser

ME+EM; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

Job Title: Merchandiser

Reporting to: Head of Merchandising

Location: Head Office, White City Place, West London

Contract Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

About Us:

ME+EM is one of the UK’s fastest-growing luxury fashion brands. As a direct-to-consumer business we operate in a truly omnichannel way, with an extremely successful online store, monthly mailings and stores in London, Edinburgh and concessions in Harrods and Selfridges. Our exciting growth continues in spring 2024 with the opening of our first US stores.

At ME+EM we are an entrepreneurial, creative, and passionate group of people. We work hard, are enthusiastic to learn and are not afraid to take risks. Everyone contributes to our success at all levels, and that precisely what makes being a member of the team so rewarding.

Our office and stores are always busy and fast paced, but we work just as hard to make sure it’s fun, with social activities and biannual parties. We pride ourselves on being approachable, supportive, and welcoming and ensure that everyone’s hard work is rewarded. It takes all these things to build a strong, successful business and our door is always open to new talent ready to contribute to our growth and evolution.

Job Description

Plan and trade a multi-product offer by developing effective merchandise and range plans to shape the strategy of your departments, trade in season to maximise performance and capitalise on opportunities. Utilise Regional nuances to plan and trade within different markets across differing markets. Work cross functionally to deliver financial KPIs in line with company strategy across an omni-channel portfolio. Be a positive and motivating team leader who develops and manages a close-knit team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Gain detailed understanding of company strategy (including sales growth, channel strategy, profit, trends and customer profile) and be instrumental in translating this to a category level.
2. Evaluate current and historical information to produce Lessons Learnt and product strategy with your Buyer, using analysis to form the foundations of a commercial and forward thinking department strategy.
3. Create category sales and profit plans, making strategic decisions to ensure profit is always at the forefront and risks mitigated.
4. Manage margin mechanics.
5. Plan the WSSI to manage stock and OTB plans.
6. Plan and develop balanced, commercial range, taking into account category trends, price, fashion risk, supplier, shapes, size ratios.
7. Plan sales and stock phasing to minimise stockholding whilst maximising sales opportunities.
8. Plan new options to deliver flow of newness into the business in line with monthly mailings whilst maximising sell throughs.
9. Be an expert in the Regional strengths and opportunities, harnessing data to maximise potential of departments as well as mitigate any potential risks.
10. Work closely with the store merchandiser on range planning and OTB management, harnessing key learns to feed into seasonal category plans.
11. Trade the proposition identifying risk and opportunities to maximise profit.
12. Reforecast sales and profit parameters monthly.
13. Actively take steps to deliver department financial half KPIs in line with budget.
14. Manage stock levels and forecast to support sales.
15. Identify new business opportunities to grow sales and profitability.
16. Review, propose and implement mark-down activity to reduce terminal stock whilst analysing action taken on mark-downs to maximise profit.
17. Proactively review the website, working alongside the ecomm team to maximise demand.
18. Support Buyers in managing suppliers by giving visibility of performance and future business.
19. Maintaining awareness of competitors' performance and market trends.
20. Identify recruitment and training needs within the Merchandising team.
21. Set objectives and performance reviews of direct reports.
22. Build an effective and motivational team environment.
23. Drive succession planning within the team.
24. Support HoM with Topline reporting and planning.
25. Own a dedicated company focus area, working cross functionally with peers to ensure best practice with a customer first mindset.
26. Be seen as a leader amongst merchandising peers; a key contributor to the daily running merchandising function.

Skills & Experience

• Proven working experience in merchandising.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong listening, presentation and decision-making skills.
• Someone who uses initiative with a hands-on approach and the ability to prioritise.
• Ability to multi-task in our fast-paced environment.

Employee Benefits:

• 33 days annual leave for full time employees (25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays).
• A day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Pension Scheme.
• Group Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Length of Service Award.
• Refer a Friend Scheme.
• Staff uniform for retail employees.
• Generous Staff and Friends and Family Discount.
• Annual Volunteer Day.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Tech Scheme.
• Eye Care Vouchers.
• Real Living Wage Employer.
• Employee led committees.
• Social events and biannual parties.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity package after 2 years of service.

ME+EM is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering and preserving a culture of diversity, equality, and inclusion in our workforce. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we do not discriminate against applicants based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe that diversity enriches our workforce and strengthens our organisation. Therefore, we encourage minorities, LGBTQ+ candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply for opportunities within our company.

Please note, due to the large number of applications we receive, we can only reply to those that are successful to the next stage.