Merchandising Assistant: Trading & Growth (Flexible Hours)

URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible start and finish times

Bring your dog to work

Employee Assistance program

Fully equipped gym and on-site fitness

Private Medical Insurance

Employee discount up to 40%

One paid volunteer/fundraising day

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc. is seeking an experienced Assistant Merchandiser in London to support seasonal planning and trading with a strong focus on profitability and speed to market.

You will collaborate with buyers, planners and the Web team to optimize stock and margins across categories and drive in-season performance. The role requires commercial acumen, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to lead and develop the MAA team while building partnerships across Merchandising and Buying.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of retail systems.
• Experience with merchandising in a fashion or retail field.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrate logical analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to understand financial measurements and impact them.
• Build and maintain productive partnerships.
• Trading mentality; work at pace and drive results.
• Profit-focused; develop product areas for profitability.
• Team leadership; set goals and develop skills in the team.
• Impact & influence with senior management and merchandising teams.

Responsibilities

• Support Merchandiser with Seasonal Plans and re-forecasts for all categories from sales history and Brand Strategy.
• Assist in managing OTB; identify risks and opportunities to stay flexible.
• Oversee intake margins with Buying; align target margins with Senior Planner.
• Maintain weekly line cards; propose rebuy dates and volumes.
• Develop partnerships with buyers to understand vision and trends.
• Take accountability for in-season trading for assigned product areas.
• Monitor weekly intake targets; alert Senior Management to risks.
• Manage MD and Promotional planning to minimize MD and drive profitability.
• Follow a clear product sign-off process aligned with lead times.
• Ensure stock distribution supports store and product performance.
• Display customer-focused market and trend knowledge; monitor store performance.
• Ensure correct level of newness and mix of end use by timing.
• Collate seasonal price analysis and support regional pricing architecture.
• Work with suppliers to improve lead times, shipping costs, and communication.
• Oversee department allocations and train MAA’s on the allocation tool.
• Guide IAQ levels and monitor store tiers per option frameworks.
• Review web inventory and coordinate with Web team for DC stock.
• Lead and coach a team of MAA’s and ensure timely intake and allocation.
• Identify training needs within the MAA community and feed back to management.
• Build cross-functional relationships to align Commercial and Creative streams.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Retail systems

Merchandising experience

Time management

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Financial literacy

Stakeholder collaboration

Trading mentality

Leadership

Job description

URBN Urban Outfitters, Inc. is seeking an experienced Assistant Merchandiser in London to support seasonal planning and trading with a strong focus on profitability and speed to market.

You will collaborate with buyers, planners and the Web team to optimize stock and margins across categories and drive in-season performance. The role requires commercial acumen, advanced Excel skills, and the ability to lead and develop the MAA team while building partnerships across Merchandising and Buying.