Urban Outfitters Merchandiser - 12month FTC

Urban-Outfitters-7e13a49d; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Private medical insurance

Employee discount

Volunteer day

Cycle to work

Season ticket loan

Development opportunities

Job summary

Urban Outfitters in London is seeking an experienced Merchandiser with a strong trading mentality to plan and trade multiple categories at pace. You will partner with Buying to build departmental strategies, develop cohesive product ranges and drive profitability through in-season trading, accurate forecasts and strong stock management.

Working closely with store teams, you will tailor ranges by market and store type, monitor performance, raise opportunities to Senior Management, and shape the

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of Retail systems.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities.
• Strong communication skills.
• Demonstrate logical analysis and positive problem solving skills.
• Ability to analyze, present and communicate information for informed decisions.

Responsibilities

• Create Seasonal strategy for product areas, alongside Buying, aligning with brand strategy.
• Submit monthly sales, stock and markdown forecasts for department plans/forecasts.
• Take ownership of in-season trading; analyze patterns and identify opportunities with Buying to speed to market.
• Close monitor intake weekly; ensure targets are met and highlight risks to Senior Management.
• Manage department OTB; identify risks and opportunities to maintain flexibility.
• Manage intake margins with Buying; align with Merchandising Director and meet targets.
• Plan best-fit product mix by market and store type for diverse brand needs.
• Plan MD and promotional activity to minimize MD and drive profitability.
• Follow a clear sign-off process respecting product lead times.
• Ensure optimal stock distribution to maximize store and product performance.
• Display deep market and trend knowledge and track store performance.
• Ensure correct level of newness and timely product mix.

Skills

Excel

Retail systems

Prioritisation

Flexibility

Communication

Analytical skills

Financial acumen

Tools

None

Job description

About Us

Urban Outfitters started out as a single boutique in 1970s Philadelphia with creativity and uniqueness at its core. 50 years on, and over 60 stores across Europe later, we’ve become a destination for emerging design, unexpected styling, One-Of-A-Kind vintage and homeware that makes you want to hit the share button.

We speak to a social community of over 10 million forward-thinking individuals, bringing together a nostalgia for the past with an enthusiasm to shape the future. The UO community are culturally aware, they shape the music scene, they live a digitally native life and they wear style trends before anyone else. At our core, we empower our customers and staff to express themselves, unapologetically, living life in a way that's truly authentic to them.

We are always excited to bring new talent into the room, especially if you share our values:

Progressive — we move with the moodCreative — we champion limitless mindsInclusive — we open our platforms to all communitiesResponsible — we work to reduce our impact on the environmentCompassionate — we care for each other beyond the 9 to 5

Sound like you, why not join us?

Role Summary

This role is suitable for an experienced Merchandiser who is highly commercial with a strong trading mentality and has the ability to work at pace. Accountable for Planning and Trading multiple categories and will need to partner with Buying to build departmental strategy and develop commercial and cohesive product ranges to strengthen market position.

What You'll Be Doing

• Create Seasonal strategy for product areas, alongside Buying, combining lessons learnt and future opportunityProvide Seasonal Plans and Re-forecasts for all categories of responsibility driven from sales history and Brand Strategy
• Submit monthly sales, stock and markdown forecasts relating to department plans/forecasts
• Take ownership for in-season trading – analyse trading patterns and identify opportunity for repeats, work with Buying to optimize speed to market.
• Closely monitor intake on a weekly basis. Ensure intake targets are being met on all product areas and are in line with Brand targets. Highlight intake risk to Senior Management team
• Management of Dept’s OTB- continually identify risks/ opportunities to maintain flexible OTB
• Manage intake margin alongside Buying counterparts. Agree target margins withMerchandising Director and ensure these are met
• Plan best-fit product mix by market type and store type recognizing diverse needs of Brand
• Manage MD and Promotional planning for product areas – strive to minimize MD and drive profitability
• Work within a clear critical path to operate an effective/timely product sign off process, appropriate for product lead-time
• Ensures effective distribution of stock to potentialise store and product performance
• Displays an in-depth, customer-focused knowledge of market and trends and store performance
• Ensures that the correct level of newness is present, and that correct mix of end use is phased in at the appropriate time.

What You'll Need

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Strong understanding of Retail systems
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Strong communication skills
• Demonstrate logical analysis and positive problem solving skills
• Ability to analyze, present and communicate information in a manner that allows informed decision-making
• Possess an ability to understand financial measurements and how to impact them
• Ability to build and maintain productive partnerships and demonstrate strong listening, oral and written communication skills
• Trading Mentality; ability to work at pace, challenge results and information to identify challenges, drive for results and track record of success.

The Perks

• Work-life balance: Flexible start and finish times, bring your dog to work.
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program, free gym, private medical insurance.
• Employee Discount: Up to 40% off at all URBN Brands.
• Community: One paid day to volunteer or fundraise for a charity.
• Travel: Cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan.
• Continued Development: Structured support and ongoing learning opportunities

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Equal Opportunity Statement

URBN is an Equal Opportunities Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy, marital status, religion, race, or disability. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs.