Merchandiser

OUR CLIENT

Since our client first opened their doors , they've grown into one of the largest womenswear retailers in the UK. In fact, they now have stores across the UK, Eire and mainland Europe. The reason they are so well loved is because they give their customers exactly what they want - fashion, value and choice. As one of the UK's leading fashion retailers all you have to know is that our client is always on trend, always in fashion and always in style.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Merchandiser from an established retail business to join an expanding business with significant career growth potential. These are very exciting times as our clients rapid expansion continues in the UK and Internationally...

THE ROLE

Your role as a merchandiser is to contribute to, and influence the development of the marketing groups range plan. You will be required to range build and manage the overall trading plan of the marketing group against agreed KPI's. You will also be responsible for managing and developing more junior team members, in order to develop a high performing team.

Your key responsibilities are listed below

Trading

• Ensure all departmental KPI's are achieved through maximising Sales and Profit whilst minimising Stock, markdown, terminal levels in order to exceed planned profit.
• Provide accurate sales forecasts to identify stock requirements.
• Manage the in-season Open-to-Buy down to season/category level using the WSSI. Present WSSI monthly in a product performance review.
• Manage promotional and clearance markdown activity within budgeted levels.
• Consistently manage the supply base, monitoring Commitment and Intake, controlling mix between Direct/In-direct sources
• Manage stock mix of fashion v basics, ensuring good availability on key volume basics.
• Work alongside optimisation to ensure optimum stock levels in store.

Planning

Produce a commercial and balanced range, which reflects departmental strategy and agreed KPI's.

• Identifies market and key fashion trends to maintain a detailed understanding of the required product area.
• Regularly carries out store, competitor and supplier visits.
• With Buyer develops departmental strategy and provide analytics to support decision.
• With the Buyer constructs a well-balanced range to target the appropriate customer profile.
• Reviews and monitors range plans regularly with Buyer to reflect changing sales/trends etc.
• Incorporate space planning and relevant grading proposals into the planning process to meet store requirements.

Management

Manage and develop an assertive, dynamic culture within the team, displaying strong management skills to enable achievement of business goals.

• To coach, motivate and develop the Assistant and Junior Merchandiser
• Good teamwork skills, a willingness to participate as a full team member
• Demonstrate strong communication skills, being able to communicate effectively with all levels of the business inclusive of senior management team.
• To demonstrate a flair for generating and recognising imaginative, innovative ideas and solutions which have commercial gain.
• Be able to display a confident and professional style at all times, taking appropriate action to influence the achievement of business goals.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

You're behavioural skills

You will need a proactive approach to problem solving, be highly analytical, possess sound commercial acumen and a genuine interest in the fashion retail market. Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility and enthusiasm are also essential to succeed in this role, as is the ability to work to strict deadlines.

You're Key Performance Indicators

• Significantly reduce markdown and terminal stock in stores by maximising full price sales opportunities
• Manage stock distribution levels in order to minimise over and under stocked stores