At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead merchandising strategies to optimise profitability and align products with market trends.
- Company: Join Antler, a pioneering brand in the travel lifestyle industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, hybrid work, health cash plan, and more perks.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent growth opportunities and a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Extensive merchandising experience and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 66000 £ per year.
At Antler, we stand at the forefront of innovation in the travel lifestyle industry, and we are on an exciting journey as we continue to grow our brand globally. We are searching for a strategic and motivated Senior Merchandiser/Planner to join our UK team. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for leading merchandising strategies that optimise profitability and ensure our product offerings align with market trends and consumer demand. You will work closely across multi-channel and regional teams to develop strategic plans that enhance our product assortment and drive sales growth. This is a fantastic opportunity for experienced merchandisers looking to further their careers in a dynamic environment.
Core Responsibilities
- Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive merchandising strategies that maximise sales and profitability while ensuring alignment with company goals. Create detailed merchandising plans based on market analysis, consumer insights, and sales performance.
- Inventory Planning: Forecast demand and manage inventory to ensure optimum stock levels across all channels while minimising excess stock. Coordinate actions to align supply and demand across direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and retail channels.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with design, marketing, sales, and e-commerce teams to ensure cohesive product launches, promotions, and overall brand messaging throughout the customer journey.
- Sales Forecasting & Reporting: Generate accurate sales forecasts and provide regular reporting on product performance, inventory levels, and market trends. Driving and maintaining OTB and WSSI plans. Use data analytics to extract key insights across region and channel to present to senior management.
- Product Lifecycle Management: Oversee the lifecycle of product lines from planning, development, and launch through to markdowns and end-of-life. Collaborate with teams to make strategic recommendations on product ranges based on customer feedback and performance analysis. Focus on maintaining and driving critical path alongside product teams.
- Market Research: Conduct ongoing market analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive insights. Support the product development team in aligning new products with customer needs and preferences.
- Training & Leadership: Mentor and develop junior merchandising staff, fostering a collaborative and empowering team environment. Share best practices and industry insights to enhance team performance and productivity.
About Antler
Antler is the British travel lifestyle brand. With a new leadership team, we have an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to the way we operate. Established in 1914, we have a rich heritage - one that is respected and celebrated. Since ATR Brands acquired Antler in 2020, we’ve achieved a lot. We’ve reimagined the brand, invested in the team, developed incredible new products and collaborated with exciting partners globally. We’ve grown from a team of 6 to 30+ in the past 3 years. We all bring something unique and are united in the common aspiration of being better than average; we have a will-do attitude where nothing is impossible.
About You
It’s all about compatibility. Here’s what you will need to succeed in this role:
- Extensive experience in merchandising, preferably in a senior planner capacity within fashion, retail, or consumer products.
- Strong analytical skills, with proficiency in Excel and experience with merchandising or retail planning software.
- Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
- Proven leadership skills with a collaborative approach to working in cross-functional teams.
- A results-oriented mindset with a passion for fashion, travel, and lifestyle products.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey data-driven insights to stakeholders at various levels.
The Perks
Aside from the role, the people and our big ambitions, here are some of the other things that make Antler a great place to work:
- 33 days annual leave inclusive of Bank Holidays.
- Hybrid approach with 3 days in the office, typically Monday, Tuesday & Thursday.
- Health cash plan provided by Medicash.
- Pension + pension advice, life insurance and discretionary company bonus.
- Enhanced family leave for both primary and secondary careers.
- Antler allowance and discount, Charlie HR perks and cash back, Hoxton discounts through ‘Working From’ membership.
Senior Merchandiser/Planner in London employer: Antler
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Merchandiser/Planner in London
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Antler, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Antler!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Merchandiser/Planner in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Antler, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Antler and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Antler that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Antler
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
