At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales by planning product ranges and managing stock effectively.
- Company: Fast-growing online retail business based in Manchester.
- Benefits: Permanent role with career development in a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth in a fast-paced, ambitious team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic retail setting using data and insights.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in merchandising, strong analytical skills, and Excel proficiency.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Merchandiser to join a fast-growing and entrepreneurial online retail business based in Manchester. This is a key role within the merchandising team, supporting the Head of Merchandising and playing an important part in driving commercial performance across a fast-moving product environment. You will be responsible for range planning, forecasting, stock management and performance analysis, using data and commercial insight to maximise sales opportunities while maintaining healthy stock levels.
Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Buying team to plan new product ranges using historical sales, market trends and commercial opportunities.
- Forecast forward sales and intake requirements across your product range.
- Manage stock intake within agreed stock turn targets, balancing availability with stockholding.
- Work closely with factories and Product Development to ensure shipment dates and critical paths are achieved.
- Analyse historical sales and trading performance, identifying trends and opportunities.
- Track performance against plan and take action to minimise markdowns and maximise sales.
- Manage sales and stock availability across multiple sales channels.
- Identify risks, anomalies and under performance and proactively recommend solutions.
- Own your product range and take responsibility for driving its commercial performance.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams to optimise lead times and delivery dates.
- Work collaboratively across Buying, Product Development, Supply Chain and wider business functions.
About You
We are looking for an experienced Merchandiser who is commercially minded, analytical and confident working in a fast-paced retail environment. You will ideally have:
- 2+ years' experience in a Merchandiser role.
- Strong experience in sales and stock forecasting.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience using merchandising systems/tools.
- Strong analytical and numerical skills.
- Experience managing sales, stock, intake and margin.
- Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify trends and anomalies.
- The confidence to challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- A commercial mindset with the ability to identify and maximise opportunities.
- Experience owning and driving the performance of a product range.
- Strong supplier relationship management skills.
- Excellent organisation skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across multiple teams.
Desirable Experience
The following would be advantageous:
- Experience working with Far East factories.
- Critical Path Management.
- WSSI management.
- End-to-end budget planning.
- Strong experience in data analysis and commercial evaluation.
- Previous experience within e-commerce, retail or home/textiles would be beneficial.
What's on Offer?
- Permanent, full-time position.
- 37.5 hours per week.
- Office-based role in Manchester.
- Opportunity to join a growing and ambitious online retail business.
- Genuine opportunity for career development and progression.
- A collaborative, fast-paced and commercially focused environment.
If you’re an experienced Merchandiser looking for your next opportunity and enjoy using data, commercial insight and trading performance to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Merchandiser in Manchester employer: Axon Moore
Axon Moore is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and creative work culture in Ulverston, where innovation thrives. With a competitive salary of up to £45,000, generous benefits including 25 days holiday, and a strong emphasis on employee development, this role as Playground Design Manager offers the chance to lead impactful projects while growing your career in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Merchandiser in Manchester
✨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 Axon Moore, 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 Axon Moore!
We think you need these skills to ace Merchandiser in Manchester
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 Axon Moore, 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 Axon Moore 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 Axon Moore that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Axon Moore
✨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!
