Senior Assistant Merchandiser

JD; Bury; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking a Merchandising Assistant to support the Merchandiser in achieving departmental sales and stock plans. The role involves planning, trading, and teamwork to optimize product mix and performance. Responsibilities include reviewing trading performance, managing range plans, and collaborating with various teams to meet company targets.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Merchandiser to ensure product placement for sales targets.
• Review trading performance and propose actions for improvement.
• Collaborate with the Merchandise Team and Buyer.

Job description

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Reporting to: Merchandiser

Operating Ratio: 60/40 Current / Future

Key Objective: Working alongside the Merchandiser to ensure all product is in the right stores to enable achieving departmental sales, markdown, stock, intake, and profit plans. Substitute for the Merchandiser in their absence.

Key Responsibilities

Planning

• Review previous season with the Merchandiser and Buyer to capture lessons learned.
• Create and present the department strategy alongside the Merchandiser and Buyer.
• Review the SMT plan at Buyer Group/Season annually and apply it at the Category/Season level to meet the plan.
• Develop quarterly plans at Category/Season level with the Merchandiser and Buyer to optimize product mix for KPIs.
• Ensure that the Buy matches the plan.
• Take ownership of the quarterly range plan at Store level in collaboration with the Merchandiser and Buyer.
• Participate in selection meetings with the Merchandiser, Buyer, and suppliers.
• Maintain Line Cards on core styles and take appropriate actions.

Trading

• Review weekly trading performance and KPIs, identifying issues and actions for improvement.
• Propose and agree on actions to recover risks and seize opportunities with the Merchandiser and Buyer at category and line levels.
• Record all actions in monthly forecast reviews for relevant categories or departments.
• Attend monthly WSSI meetings with the Merchandiser and Merchandise Manager to approve forecasts, OTBs, commitments, and markdown proposals.
• Manage the range plan throughout the season, adjusting for changes.
• Oversee the performance of non-organic stores.
• Manage intake at category and line level with the team.
• Be responsible for concept stores.

Teamwork

• Report to the Merchandiser.
• Collaborate with the Merchandise Team and Buyer.
• Develop relationships with Store Operations, Visuals, Marketing, DC, etc., as appropriate.

Key Deliverables - Year 1

• Complete all system training courses for full system utilization.
• Follow the Merchandise Calendar delivery plans and forecasts.
• Achieve company sales, margins, and stock targets.