Assistant Merchandiser

From Merchandising and Marketing - Product Development and Design, through to Supply Chain and Space Planning - our mission is to bring stylish wardrobe, home and beauty essentials to our customers via an easy, inspiring shopping experience online and in store that will delight them every time.

As we accelerate the transformation of our business to suit the changing needs of our customer, we need results-orientated colleagues that not only have a passion for our product, but a strong team working ethos, creativity and a healthy commercial aim to join us on our journey.

We are currently looking for a talented, ambitious and enthusiastic Assistant Merchandiser to join our C&H Womenswear Team. You will need to have excellent analytical, communication and trading skills, as well as being proficient in Excel. The role is a fantastic opportunity to join a category with ambitious growth plans in a market leading Womenswear business with a clear path for career progression.

Key accountabilities and measures

• Supporting the Merchandiser in agreeing the strategy and targets for creating and achieving pre and in season Range sales and stock forecasts by channel in addition to GSM Markdown and availability
• Analysis of sales identifying strengths and weaknesses and taking appropriate actions working in collaboration with stakeholders to react to trade and maximise sales opportunity for the Department
• Assisting the Merchandiser and Buying team to formulate a detailed plan on the products to be offered each quarter across all channels inc International
• Booking quantities of products to meet launch and respond to in season variables for all channels in the UK and International
• Assisting Department Plan review and lessons learned
• Managing departmental documentation relating to all sale periods including markdown plans
• Maintaining accurate listings in Range Planner
• Working with Sourcing Offices to manage critical path from buy to delivery for each stroke including global capacity management and the agreement and monitoring of global production plans with suppliers
• Providing information to Space Planning & Development team to allow them to generate layout plans to stores
• Maintaining awareness of competition’s product offer to provide input into price point strategy and catalogue by shape of chain
• Maintaining communication links to retail, channels, allocation, suppliers, sourcing offices and international
• Implementing and exploiting new systems and processes
• Assist the International team to maximise M&S departmental sales during International Buying events

Key skills

• Core Merchandising skills including managing GSM, development of Department Plan, stock / commitment management, creating sales estimates, and production plans
• Knowledge of the end to end buy to store process
• Controlling unplanned in-season costs
• Negotiation skills (managing in season unplanned costs)
• Knowledge of M&S brand and sub-brand strategy
• Able to fully utilise the relevant IT support systems, (Range Planner, SSI, SAS Reporting, JDA Merch Planning) and to be fully conversant with standard business desktop applications
• Strong numerical, analytical and interpretive skills
• Ability to initiate and build strong relationships with Design, Buying and Technology
• Strong interpersonal/ communication skills
• Influencing (internal & external)

Key Benefits:

• Flexible working approach, with a balance of being in the office and working from home
• Competitive salary plus bonus
• 29 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 20% discount on M&S products
• A range of wellbeing support (including a virtual GP)
• 25% off gym memberships, access to online fitness classes and discounts for complementary health services, such as nutrition and lifestyle coaching

Interested? Apply here!

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M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That’s why we’re revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact.

We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working.

If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application. We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment.