Student Placement - UK&i Merchandising

BARBOUR; Jarrow; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fashion brand in Jarrow offers a Merchandising Student Placement for one year. This paid opportunity allows students to immerse themselves in merchandising duties, including orderbook management and sales analytics. Applicants must be pursuing a Sandwich Degree and exhibit a keen interest in fashion merchandising, along with proficiency in Excel. The role includes essential tasks that support the merchandising team and insights into the brand's operations, making it ideal for students aiming for a professional career in the fashion industry.

Benefits

Staff discount

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Access to training activities

Free onsite parking

Subsidised canteen

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Studying a relevant degree with a focus on merchandising.
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel is required.
• Previous retail experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide admin support to the Merchandising team.
• Assist in seasonal range planning with the sales team.
• Actively analyze trade to provide bestseller reports.

Skills

Attention to detail

Effective communication

Proficient in Excel

Organised

Interest in merchandising

Education

Undergraduate Sandwich Degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Company Description

The Barbour story began in 1894 in South Shields in the North East of England. Founder John Barbour began supplying oilskins and other garments to protect the growing community of sailors, fishermen and dockers. Still family owned and now fifth generation, Barbour HQ remains in South Shields. Under the leadership of Chairman Dame Margaret Barbour, Barbour has grown into a lifestyle brand sold in over 55 countries worldwide including Europe, the US and Asia offering a wardrobe of stylish functional clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the unique values of the British countryside. The iconic Barbour Bedale and Barbour Beaufort wax jackets continue to be made by hand in the factory in South Shields. In 2020, Barbour launched Wax for Life, an overarching name for all of Barbour's wax services designed to encourage customers to extend the life of their wax garments. Wax for Life includes re-waxing and repairs (first introduced in 1921) and Barbour Re-Loved an upcycling circularity initiative. Each year over 70,000 wax garments are sent back to Barbour globally to be repaired, rewaxed or altered.

Position Overview

We are excited to announce that we have opened the application process for our Barbour UK & I Merchandising Student Placement within our UK Sales & Merchandising team. In Barbour's paid placement programme, students get a full immersion into the brand's culture for a 12-month period. In line with Barbour's aim to offer essential training to students wishing to work in the fashion business, this role has been developed so that you can gain experience in how design and development functions and the interaction across the business. This opportunity will be a temporary training contract from Summer 2026 - Summer 2027.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing admin support to the Merchandising team.
• Constant management of wholesale orderbooks to maximise sales with wholesale partners.
• Assisting in the seasonal range planning and assortment plans with the merchandising and sales team.
• Coordination of stock to support strategic product launches and exclusive product ranges in store.
• Actively analysing trade to provide bestseller reports - identifying best and worst sellers and making recommendations.
• Analysing sales and stock reports for product opportunities to drive in season opportunities.
• Collating trade information from different sources and translating into an aligned format for review.
• Data review and providing insight and recommendations.
• Support in the provision of product information for wholesale partners.
• Maintaining product records and ensuring accurate attribution and naming conventions.
• Maintaining weekly and monthly product dashboards.
• Assisting with orderbook management.
• Working cross-functionally with Sales Support, Forecasting and Finance.
• Take part in new season launches and experience the sales and merchandising planning process.

Skills and Experience

• Studying a relevant degree and interest in pursuing a merchandising career in Fashion.
• A genuine interest in numbers and an eye for detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft packages such as Excel, PowerPoint - intermediate Excel knowledge is a must.
• A keen interest in reviewing large data sets in Excel.
• Experience with graphic design & Adobe Creative Suite is desirable.
• Previous retail experience is preferred.
• Demonstrates high standards of attention to detail.
• Exceptionally organised, methodical and efficient with strong time management ability.
• Proactive approach to problem solving.
• Effective communicator and able to establish relationships with people at all levels.

Additional Information

• To apply for this placement, you must be currently studying an Undergraduate Sandwich Degree Course and able to undertake 12 months in industry as part of your course.

Benefits

• Staff discount
• 25 days holiday as standard plus bank holidays
• Access to training and development activities to support your studies
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Operate hybrid & flexible working
• 4pm finish on a Friday
• Wellbeing support
• Reward & Recognition Program

In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.