At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage product ranges, forecast sales, and optimise stock for a fast-growing online retail business.
- Company: Dynamic online home retail company specialising in soft furnishings and textiles.
- Benefits: Permanent role with career development opportunities and a vibrant work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Take ownership of product performance and make impactful decisions in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: 2+ years merchandising experience, strong analytical skills, and advanced Excel proficiency.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are working with a fast-growing and highly entrepreneurial online home retail business specialising in soft furnishings and home textiles, including curtains, bedding, cushions, throws and rugs. Due to continued growth, they are looking for an experienced Merchandiser to join their team and support the Head of Merchandising in managing a fast-paced, high-volume product environment. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded Merchandiser who enjoys working with data, taking ownership of a product range and making decisions that directly influence sales, stock and margin performance.
As Merchandiser, you will work closely with the Buying and Product teams to plan ranges, forecast sales, manage stock and maximise commercial performance. Key responsibilities will include:
- Working closely with Buying to plan new product ranges using historical sales, market trends, lost potential and new product opportunities.
- Forecasting forward sales and intake requirements across your product range.
- Managing stock intake within agreed stock turn targets, balancing availability with stockholding.
- Liaising with factories and Product Development to ensure shipment dates and critical paths are maintained.
- Reviewing historical sales performance and identifying key learnings and opportunities.
- Monitoring performance against plan and taking action to minimise markdowns and maximise sales opportunities.
- Managing sales and stock availability across multiple sales channels.
- Identifying potential issues and proactively recommending solutions to the Head of Merchandising.
- Taking ownership of your product range and driving its commercial performance.
- Building strong relationships with suppliers and factories to optimise delivery dates and improve critical path management.
We are looking for someone who is analytical, commercially focused and confident working in a fast-paced environment. You will ideally have:
- Strong merchandising experience within a retail or e-commerce environment.
- Advanced Excel skills.
- Experience using merchandising systems to manage sales, stock, intake and margin.
- Strong sales forecasting and analytical skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify anomalies and act quickly.
- The confidence to challenge and influence stakeholders at all levels.
- A strong commercial mindset and the ability to identify product opportunities.
- Experience taking ownership of a product range and driving performance.
- Strong supplier relationship management skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively across Buying, Product Development and wider business teams.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy.
Desirable experience: Experience in any of the following would be advantageous:
- Working with Far East factories.
- Critical Path management.
- WSSI management.
- End-to-end budget planning.
- Strong data evaluation and numeracy skills.
- Home textiles, soft furnishings or wider home retail.
Permanent, full-time position. 37.5 hours per week. Full-time office-based role in Manchester. Opportunity to join a rapidly growing online retail business. A role with genuine ownership and influence over product performance. Excellent opportunity for career development as the business continues to grow. If you are an experienced Merchandiser looking for your next opportunity within a fast-moving, growing retail environment, we would love to hear from you.
Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior 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!
