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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Merchandising team to ensure the right products are in the right place at the right time.
- Company: Lipsy Group is a vibrant fashion brand dedicated to inclusivity and personal development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25% off major brands, hybrid working, performance bonuses, and personal development plans.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and supports your career growth in merchandising.
- Qualifications: Experience in fashion merchandising and a passion for developing your career in this field.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and promote a culture of wellbeing and respect for all employees.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Job Description
This role is a fantastic chance to make a significant impact on the continued success of our Licensed Brands. Key aspects of the position involve product development, where you will collaborate closely with factories and the design team, as well as maintaining essential brand relationships.
Formulating Range Structure Proposals: Analyse market trends, consumer preferences, and sales data to identify opportunities as well as develop range structures that align with brand positioning and target market. Present proposals outlining assortment plans, pricing strategies, and key product features.
Presenting in Formal Meetings: Prepare visually engaging presentations that effectively communicate range proposals. Clearly articulate rationale behind proposals, incorporating data and insights. Address questions and concerns from stakeholders with confidence and clarity.
Appraising Performance and Proposing Strategies: Evaluate previous season performance, departmental metrics, and supplier performance. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and propose strategies to address performance gaps and capitalise on opportunities.
Building Relationships with Suppliers: Cultivate open communication and collaboration with suppliers, establishing trust and transparency in negotiations and business dealings.
Planning and Reviewing Capacity, Production, and Fabric Reservations: Forecast demand accurately to plan capacity and production schedules. Coordinate with suppliers to ensure timely fabric reservations and production and regularly review progress against production targets and adjust plans as needed.
Maintaining Merchandise Systems: Ensure accuracy in merchandise systems by updating data regularly. Confirm supplier contracts and maintain correct sizing, forecasts, and inventory levels. Conduct regular audits to identify and resolve discrepancies.
Controlling Spend: Review budgets regularly to monitor spending and identify opportunities for cost savings. Analyse spending patterns and implement strategies to optimise allocation of resources. Negotiate favourable terms with suppliers to achieve cost efficiencies.
Monitoring In-Season Performance: Track sales performance, inventory levels, and markdowns throughout the season. Identify trends and patterns to make informed decisions and adjustments. Implement strategies to maximise profitability and minimise risk.
About You:
Great Communication Skills: Prepare clear and engaging presentations for internal meetings and brand partner discussions. Tailor your communication style to your audience, ensuring information is conveyed effectively. Actively listen to feedback and respond thoughtfully to questions or concerns.
Solid Technical Merchandising Skills: Utilise your technical expertise to analyse data, forecast sales, and plan inventory effectively. Ensure accuracy in merchandise systems and contract negotiations to support successful trading relationships. Stay updated on industry best practices and trends to enhance your merchandising capabilities.
Energetic, Enthusiastic, and Self-Confident: Approach your role with energy and enthusiasm, inspiring others with your passion and positivity. Demonstrate confidence in your abilities and decisions, especially when presenting information or leading discussions.
Open-Mindedness to New Ways of Working: Embrace innovation and creativity, actively seeking out new ideas and solutions to challenges. Be receptive to feedback and different perspectives, recognizing that diverse viewpoints can lead to better outcomes. Encourage a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation within your team.
Enjoyment of the Product/Trend Side of the Role: Immerse yourself in the world of product and trends, staying informed about the latest developments and innovations. Use your passion for product and trends to drive creative merchandising strategies and inspire your team. Actively seek out opportunities to collaborate with brand partners to bring innovative products to market.
Candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship for this role will be required to meet the Home Office sponsorship requirements. For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
We encourage early applications for our roles, as our recruitment process begins as soon as the role is advertised. If we successfully fill the position, this advert may close earlier than planned.
About Us
You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!
About The Team
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Profit-related bonus – based on company performance
- Private health insurance- surgery choices
- Sharesave scheme – make savings from your net pay to buy NEXT shares at a discount
- Pension – fixed contribution rates from both an employer and employee perspective, but you're also able to make additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) if you wish to save more.
- 25% staff discount on most NEXT products – plus discount on other products
- Wagestream – helping you make the most out of your money
- Salary finance – offers access to affordable loans repaid through salary, simple savings and free financial education.
- Life assurance
- Direct to work – NEXT orders delivered free to the office for collection
- VIP sale – early access to the NEXT sale
- Access to NEXT staff shops
- Octopus energy – like cycle-to-work, but for electric vehicles
- Free parking (excluding London locations)
- Travel2NEXT – bus services dependent on location
- On site dining facilities (excluding London locations)
- National and local discounts on goods and services – this includes things like discounted cinema tickets
- Wellhub – includes access to discounted gym membership
- Simply health – a healthcare subscription service
- Aviva Digicare Workplace+ healthcare service – 7 Free services including Digital GP appointments and an annual health check.
- Onsite GP – Leicester Head Office
- Onsite Physio – Leicester Head Office
- A range of dedicated 3rd party wellbeing partners
- Free eye testing – voucher to use at specific locations
Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.
We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.
Assistant Merchandiser employer: Next
Contact Detail:
Next Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Merchandiser
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in fashion merchandising. Understanding current market dynamics and consumer preferences will help you stand out during interviews, as you'll be able to discuss how these trends can impact product performance.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fashion industry, especially those working in merchandising. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about insider tips that could give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with sales forecasting and stock management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully maximised profitability in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability for the Assistant Merchandiser position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to build relationships by preparing examples of how you've collaborated with teams or stakeholders in the past. This is crucial for the role, as you'll need to work closely with buying teams and suppliers to achieve merchandising goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Merchandiser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and required skills for the Assistant Merchandiser position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any previous experience in merchandising or related fields, particularly within the fashion and apparel industry. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to forecast sales, manage stock levels, and contribute to department strategy.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to showcase your skills in relationship building, planning, and analysis. Mention any tools or software you are familiar with that can aid in merchandising tasks, as well as your ability to work collaboratively with teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only expresses your enthusiasm for the role but also outlines your understanding of the company’s values, especially regarding diversity and inclusion. Explain why you would be a great fit for their team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Next
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Merchandiser, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to forecast sales and stock levels. Brush up on your numerical skills and be prepared to discuss how you would approach these tasks in the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Building relationships with key stakeholders is crucial. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with others, and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Understand the Brand and Market
Familiarise yourself with Lipsy’s product range and market position. Being able to discuss current trends in fashion and how they relate to the brand will show your passion and understanding of the industry.
✨Prepare for Trade Meeting Scenarios
Since participating in weekly trade meetings is part of the job, prepare for potential scenarios or questions that might arise in such meetings. Think about how you would present data and insights effectively.
