Merchandiser - 3 Months FTC - Immediate Start

Fortnum & Mason plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortnum & Mason in London is seeking an Assistant Merchandiser for the Fresh & Bakery team to plan, trade and grow the category using smart inventory management and RELEX-powered forecasting. You will work with Buying, Retail, Logistics and suppliers to manage stock flow from planning through launch and beyond, building reports and tracking performance to keep stock moving efficiently.

The 3-month FTC role requires 2+ years in an Assistant Merchandiser position, strong Excel skills, and a

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience at Assistant Merchandiser level.
• Strong Excel skills including SUMIFS, lookups and PivotTables.
• Experience using forecasting, replenishment or merchandising systems; RELEX experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Inventory Planning & Availability: Forecasting, replenishment, category planning, trading & availability, stock management, promotional execution.
• Financial Planning & Analysis: Produce weekly sales and margin reports, support markdowns and range optimisation.
• Supply Chain & Supplier Management: Manage stock flow from supplier to distribution centre; monitor OTIF and service levels.
• Team Support & Development: Provide analytical/operational support; assist training of the Merchandise Administration Assistant.

Skills

Analytical skills

Commercial acumen

Agility

Stakeholder management

Tools

RELEX

Excel

Job description

3 Month FTC - Immediate Start

Our Head Office department is in the heart of Piccadilly and occupies the 5th & 6th floor of our beautiful flagship store. This central London location offers so much to explore including restaurants, bars, cultural sites, shopping and more, and only a short walk from the Green Park Tube Station and plenty of bus stops.

We’re looking for a data-driven, highly organised problem solver to join our Fresh & Bakery team as an Assistant Merchandiser. You’ll help the Merchandiser plan, trade and grow the category, balancing availability with commercial performance through smart inventory management and RELEX-powered demand forecasting.

Working closely with Buying, Retail, Logistics, Warehouse teams and suppliers, you'll help manage stock flow from planning and intake through to launch and beyond. You’ll build reports, track performance and keep stock moving efficiently.

1. Inventory Planning & Availability

• Forecasting & Replenishment: Use the RELEX forecasting system to drive accurate forecasting, ordering and store-level replenishment.
• Category Planning: Work with stakeholders to plan, forecast, trade and review relevant categories, using campaign wash-ups and performance data to identify growth opportunities.
• Trading & Availability: Maintain availability across AYR and seasonal ranges, balancing sales, stock, wastage and financial targets.
• Stock Management: Monitor inventory levels, intake and stock flow to optimise availability while minimising waste and excess stock.
• Promotional Execution: Manage in-and-out stock for campaigns and seasonal lines, ensuring smooth launches and exits.

2. Financial Planning & Analysis

• Commercial Reporting: Produce weekly sales and margin reports, using WSSI to identify trends, risks and opportunities**.**
• Pricing & Markdowns: Support Buying on markdown plans that clear seasonal and short-life stock while protecting margin.
• Range Optimisation: Support Buying in developing customer-focused ranges that deliver sales, margin and availability targets.

3. Supply Chain & Supplier Management

• Supply Chain Management: Support the management of stock flow from supplier to distribution centre, working closely with suppliers, logistics and warehouse teams to resolve issues and maintain availability.
• Supplier Performance: Build strong supplier relationships and monitor OTIF (On-Time In-Full) and service level performance, escalating issues where required

4. Team Support & Development

• Team Support: Provide analytical and operational support across the wider merchandising team, contributing to key projects and trading activity.
• Coaching & Development: Support the training and development of the Merchandise Administration Assistant (MAA)

Experience and Qualifications

• Experience: 2+ years’ experience at Assistant Merchandiser level; grocery, FMCG or perishables experience is preferred.
• Analytical Skills: Strong Excel skills, including SUMIFS, lookups, PivotTables and data analysis, with the ability to translate data into clear commercial insights.
• Systems & Planning Tools: Experience using forecasting, replenishment or merchandising systems, with RELEX experience advantageous.
• Agility: Confident managing competing priorities and making decisions in a fast-paced trading environment.
• Commercial Acumen: A strong understanding of forecasting, margin, markdowns and the financial impact of wastage.
• Stakeholder Management: Confident building effective relationships across Buying, Retail, Logistics, Supply Chain and supplier partners.
• Systems & Planning Tools: Experience using forecasting, replenishment or merchandising systems, with RELEX experience advantageous.
• Agility: Confident managing competing priorities and making decisions in a fast-paced trading environment.
• Commercial Acumen: A strong understanding of forecasting, margin, markdowns and the financial impact of wastage.
• Stakeholder Management: Confident building effective relationships across Buying, Retail, Logistics, Supply Chain and supplier partners.

At Fortnum & Mason, you will be part of a historic yet forward-thinking brand renowned for exceptional quality and innovation. This role offers the opportunity to shape and grow two dynamic categories within a unique luxury retail environment.

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation.

We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards